Sustainability Series returns for 2021
Following the success of our inaugural events in 2020, The Greater Vancouver Board of Trade is bringing back its popular sustainability series later this month.
The series was launched in response to increased interest in sustainability in the business community and feedback from our members across the region, who have identified the environment as their one of their ongoing priorities. Thanks to the impact of the ongoing pandemic, 2021's sustainability series will look a little bit different. But even in spite of COVID-19, the subject matter hasn't lost its importance to Greater Vancouver businesses who understand that sustainability is a cornerstone of our region's future prosperity.
The series, which is presented in partnership with the Pacific Salmon Foundation, gets underway on March 4 with an event that focusses on the role that technology has to play in sustainability. This event will explore how business across sectors are leveraging technology to adapt their operations, business models and strategies for better environmental and economic outcomes. Alongside a panel of experts, the event will also feature a keynote from The Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, who will speak about the Government of Canada's commitment to reach net zero emissions by 2050 and the role that technology will play in reaching that target.
The following month, the sustainability series will turn its attention to our waterways. In B.C., ocean and rivers are a critical element of our economic makeup, providing important resources and serving as transportation highways that unlock global markets for Canadian goods. However, our ocean and waterways are far more than levers for economic growth for our region, rather they are the linchpin of our long-term environmental, social and economic resilience and prosperity. Taking place on April 14, this event will explore how industry can be part of the solution and the local initiatives that are protecting and fortifying one of our most important resources.
Environmental, social, and governance factors
Known simply as ESGs, environmental, social, and governance factors are becoming an increasingly important aspect of business strategy. Studies have found that businesses with higher ESGs have higher profitability and lower volatility, so it is perhaps no surprise that these kind of investments have flourished during the pandemic as investors double down on responsible practices.
But, as investors, customers, and partners increasingly expect businesses to incorporate ESGs, SMEs must learn how they can begin introducing some of this thinking into their businesses to build back up, grow and become more resilient. The final session of our sustainability series will focus on Greater Vancouver businesses that are leading the charge on ESGs and offer advice on how you can implement them for your organization.
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