At GLOBE Forum 2024: The Future is Regenerative, delegates identified key challenges to their sustainability and climate strategies, as well as potential actions and solutions to accelerate our journey towards a resilient, regenerative, net-zero future.
These key actions are captured in this Roadmap, which will inform the program at GLOBExCHANGE 2025 across our four tracks:
Click on the hyperlinks above for more information on the key action areas, including who should be involved and where to begin.
We like to define it as moving beyond simply doing “less bad” to creating net-positive outcomes by doing “more good”. It means leaving the world in a better state than we found it and reaching a point where people and nature can coexist sustainably. It means operating in ways that do not deplete our communities or resources but enable them to thrive.
Indigenous peoples have lived in ways that support a regenerative future since time immemorial, and we have an important opportunity to learn from their Traditional Knowledge and Ways of Knowing as we build a more regenerative future.
Throughout GLOBE Forum 2024, we heard several common themes that apply to all organizations, sectors, and tracks. These lessons represent a shift in the mindsets and systems that will be essential in realizing a regenerative future.
First and foremost, we heard the need for an emergency-level response to climate change and biodiversity loss. This crisis must be treated as any other emergency – with sufficient funding, adequate resource allocation and urgent action. There is no time to sit idly by; we must work quickly to close the gap between policy and action.
To move fast, we must embrace the attitude of progress over perfection. Now more than ever we cannot let the fear of failure, or the pursuit of perfection, prevent us from acting quickly. Instead, we need to create the space for mistakes, while continuously striving for improvement. It’s time we shift the narrative and embrace a collective commitment to start acting today, even if we don’t have all the answers.
Building relationships and collaborating across society is crucial to achieving our sustainability targets – we cannot do this work alone. We must break out of silos, learn from each other’s success and failures, and create synergies. These are the greatest challenges of our generation, and they can only be solved by working together.
To achieve the level of collaboration required to enact significant change, we must work to bridge the divides in our increasingly polarized world. We must come together to make sustainability a bipartisan issue, take politics out of our planet, and agree on concrete actions, creating legal and binding environmental and social commitments that will be able to withstand political turbulence. Doing so will require putting aside our personal biases, seeking to listen to and understand one another’s perspectives, and having the humility to learn from each other.
Building on conversations from GLOBE Forum 2022 and GLOBExCHANGE 2023, we heard from government, business, Indigenous groups, and civil society alike that the race is on to reach destination net zero. As the impacts of climate change become more pronounced in Canada and globally, the urgency to meet this target is growing rapidly. Collective action, innovation, and investment across Canada’s sectors are imperative for reducing our emissions and meeting the targets outlined in the Paris Agreement.
According to the Government of Canada, up to $115 billion CAD is needed annually to fund the climate solutions required to build a Canadian net–zero economy by 2050. Currently, high levels of policy uncertainty can discourage organizations from investing in long-term emissions reduction projects. Simultaneously, there is an information gap around available public funding sources and a lack of harmonization in grant requirements that make funding accessibility very challenging for small- and medium-sized enterprises. Both challenges must be addressed to spur the needed levels of investment in climate solutions across the country.
Who Needs to Act?
Where to Begin:
CDP reports that, on average, Scope 3 emissions account for more than 75% of organizations’ total emissions. While notoriously difficult to measure and address, tackling Scope 3 emissions is critical for all companies aiming to reduce their GHG footprint and create meaningful environmental impact. However, everyone’s Scope 3 emissions are another’s Scope 1. Through effective collaboration, value chains can work to increase the accessibility of Scope 3 data and shrink greenhouse gas footprints, creating exponential and mutually beneficial emissions reductions for all organizations involved.
Who Needs to Act?
Where to Begin:
Key Resources and Best Practices Identified at GLOBE Forum 2024:
The need for accelerated innovation is recognized as essential for keeping pace with global efforts to combat climate change. Implementing measures to accelerate and scale novel cleantech across Canada will be necessary to meeting our international commitments.
Who Needs to Act?
Where to Begin:
Key Resources and Best Practices Identified at GLOBE Forum 2024:
Indigenous communities are integral for the clean power transition. Not only do they possess a wealth of knowledge on the lands on which clean energy projects are taking place, they are also at the forefront of innovative clean energy projects. Building meaningful relationships with Indigenous communities will help to foster reconciliation, improve innovation, and create truly sustainable change for the Canadian energy sector.
Who Needs to Act?
Where to Begin:
Key Resources and Best Practices Identified at GLOBE Forum 2024:
In recent years, stakeholders have become increasingly vocal about their demand for Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) information. As we look ahead, it’s evident that sustainability disclosures are gaining prominence globally. Notably, in 2023, the European Union made sustainability reporting mandatory, and it’s likely that Canada will soon follow suit. Although data complexities exist and the reporting process is still evolving, this shouldn’t deter companies from starting their sustainability disclosure journey. Organizations should work to begin reporting on ESG factors as soon as possible, while striving for progress year over year as internal processes improve and external guidance emerges.
Who Needs to Act?
Where to Begin:
Key Resources and Best Practices Identified at GLOBE Forum 2024:
Discussions at GLOBE Forum 2024 underscored the importance of coordinated efforts across society to reach Canada’s net zero commitments. Organizations have a critical role to play in this effort and must work to set net zero targets in line with the Canada’s Emissions Reduction Plan. However, setting targets alone is not enough. Clear strategies, complete with interim targets and focused on emissions reductions, are crucial to ensuring our net zero ambitions are realized.
Who Needs to Act?
Where to Begin:
Many of the solutions designed to reduce emissions, including electric vehicles, heat pumps, and various renewable energy sources, require electricity. As uptake of these solutions increases, the Canadian Climate Institute projects grid demand to double by 2050. To accommodate this increased demand, ensure energy reliability, and achieve our overall climate targets, updating Canada’s electrical grid infrastructure will be critical.
Who Needs to Act?
Where to Begin:
Resiliency was front and center at GLOBE Forum 2024 as we heard from many, including the Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities of Canada, about the need to climate proof Canadian homes, infrastructure, health systems, and communities. The key message was the need to switch from a reactive to proactive approach; acting now to construct infrastructure that can withstand the challenges posed by climate change, ensuring communities are prepared and resilient.
In 2023, the NAS was introduced to guide Canadian governments, communities, and companies towards enhancing the country’s resilience against climate change impacts. The strategy lays out priorities and measurable targets, providing important guidance on our path to resiliency. Implementing this strategy will require collective effort from stakeholders across the nation. It is imperative that governments, communities, and companies alike begin to consider the role their work plays in the NAS, and the steps they can take to help Canada achieve its resiliency targets.
Who Needs to Act?
Where to Begin:
Key Resources and Best Practices Identified at GLOBE Forum 2024:
Historically, communities, infrastructure, and building codes have been developed with a stable climate in mind. However, climate induced natural disasters are on the rise and to protect the resilience of our communities nationwide, we must ensure that our critical infrastructure is equipped to withstand these impacts. This will be done through a combination of new builds and retrofits. In building and retrofitting resilient infrastructure, the opportunity arises to also implement changes that will lower the carbon footprint of our infrastructure, further benefiting local communities and the planet at large.
Who Needs to Act?
Where to Begin:
Key Resources and Best Practices Identified at GLOBE Forum 2024:
Through thoughtful, informed, and inclusive planning, we can drastically improve the livelihoods of our future communities. The goal should be a future where communities are not simply surviving but thriving, with equitable access to infrastructure and natural resources, like green spaces and bodies of water, that support a healthy, prosperous society. To accomplish this, the emphasis must go beyond rapid development, to focus on smart, resilient, and sustainable construction that shows a deep understanding of the long-term challenges posed by climate change. It underscores the necessity of balancing speed with quality, affordability with sustainability, and economic growth with environmental protection.
Who Needs to Act?
Where to Begin:
We cannot address the climate crisis and build resiliency if the workforce is not prepared to take on this challenge. According to research conducted by LinkedIn, only 1 in 8 workers has a necessary green skill. Most workers today do not have the time or money required to pursue traditional education methods. Novel, innovative education models can be leveraged to train and upskill incoming and existing workers, equipping them with the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to build a resilient, green economy.
Who Needs to Act?
Where to Begin:
Key Resources and Best Practices Identified at GLOBE Forum 2024:
Currently, there is a lack of sustainability education within school systems and public discourse. This deficiency contributes to polarization and hinders the development of a well-informed society that actively supports equitable and just climate solutions. This informed civic engagement, particularly from diverse and marginalized groups, is crucial for ensuring that sustainability efforts address broader societal needs and actively work to increase the resiliency of our communities.
Who Needs to Act?
Where to Begin:
In recent years we have seen an increased societal commitment to tackling biodiversity loss, and the conversations at GLOBE Forum 2024 reflected this trend. Society’s approach to restoring and protecting nature must mimic the interconnectedness of nature itself. With guidance and frameworks for meaningful, science-backed action in place, government, business, and civil society must now take these recommendations and collaboratively act.
Communities often feel a close connection with their local ecosystems and Indigenous communities in particular have a deep connection to the land and its biodiversity. Their Traditional Knowledge are critical in the path towards a nature-positive future. As a society, we must recognize and seek to collaborate with these groups, who have the motivation, ability, and knowledge required to help regenerate Canada’s nature.
Who Needs to Act?
Where to Begin:
All organizations impact and are impacted by nature. The World Economic Forum reports that over half the world’s total GDP is moderately or highly dependent on nature and its service. However, the ecosystems that we rely on are being overused and exploited, resulting in an average decline of 69% in species populations since 1970 according to WWF. To reverse these dangerous trends and begin to regenerate our natural environments, businesses must step up and take accountability for the impacts they have on nature. The first step in this process is for your organization to create a dedicated nature and biodiversity strategy to inform and direct meaningful action. While it can feel overwhelming, the first step is the hardest, and the good news is there is already a lot of guidance available to direct you on your journey.
Who Needs to Act?
Where to Begin:
Key Resources and Best Practices Identified at GLOBE Forum 2024:
Stakeholder interest in biodiversity action is rising and mandatory nature-related financial disclosures are likely on the horizon. It has never been more crucial for organizations to be equipped to tackle nature and biodiversity loss. To ensure the corporate sector is capable of embarking on its nature regeneration journey, we must train and upskill existing professionals, as well as prepare incoming professionals for this important task.
Who Needs to Act:
Where to Begin:
The UN calculates a total investment in nature of USD 8.1 trillion is required between 2021 and 2050 to successfully tackle the biodiversity, land degradation, and climate crises. To reach this ambitious target, we need a strong uptake in both public and private investments into nature conservation and restoration. However, investments in nature can be perceived as risky due to the complex and unpredictable elements of ecological systems, and the complexities of calculating the true value of our natural resources and a healthy environment. As such, governments and financial institutions must work to implement financial and policy mechanisms that will incentivize conservation and restoration investments.
Who Needs to Act?
Where to Begin:
According to the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre, 7131 fires burned a total of 17,203,625 hectares of land across Canada in 2023, representing the worst wildfire season ever recorded in this country. This topic was widely discussed at GLOBE Forum 2024 and the consensus is that we need collaboration across the board to prevent future wildfires as well as regenerate the forests that have already been lost.
Who Needs to Act?
Where to Begin:
Key Resources and Best Practices Identified at GLOBE Forum 2024:
GLOBE Forum 2024 was the first time an entire program track was dedicated to water security – and it certainly made a splash! Delegates were invigorated to see it put at the forefront of sustainability conversations and eager to share the amazing work currently underway to help protect our water systems. With many incredible technologies, initiatives, and solutions already developed, we must involve all of society to drive widespread implementation.
Traditional Knowledge and modern science must work hand in hand when stewarding our land and waters along the journey to ensuring water security. There is currently a gap between water policy founded in western science and Canada’s history of colonialization. We must work to ensure water security is grounded in reconciliation and the inherent rights of Indigenous Peoples. Patient, trust-driven relationship building with Indigenous communities will drive healthy, sustainable watershed management.
Who Needs to Act?
Where to Begin:
Key Resources and Best Practices Identified at GLOBE Forum 2024:
From employees, to physical assets, to inputs, every business impacts and is impacted by water. Droughts can damage infrastructure and increase costs of energy, and floods can displace your employees and render facilities unusable. With climate-induced water disasters on the rise, this critical resource is becoming a growing risk to businesses across the country. To further manage this threat, corporations must work to conserve and protect local water systems. Companies need to take water into account for all corporate decision-making, and go beyond minimizing impact to creating concrete, actionable strategies to become water positive.
Who Needs to Act?
Where to Begin:
Key Resources and Best Practices Identified at GLOBE Forum 2024:
Throughout GLOBE Forum 2024, we heard people speak about up-and-coming water innovations. Much of the technology and data solutions that we need to protect our aquatic ecosystems already exist; now it’s just a matter of supporting the organizations doing the work and scaling their solutions country-wide where applicable.
Who Needs to Act?
Where to Begin:
Key Resources and Best Practices Identified at GLOBE Forum 2024:
Water conservation initiatives span multiple years. Organizations dedicated to addressing these challenges require consistent baseline capital that allows for maintaining staff, moving past planning phases, and confidently investing in long-term water action. Ensuring community autonomy over watershed management is also essential. As such, community-based funding models should be flexible, empowering communities to identify their priorities and determine the optimal approaches to achieve them.
Who Needs to Act?
Where to Begin:
Climate impacts are combining with decades of watershed degradation to reduce the security of communities and ecosystems. There is both a critical need and a vital opportunity to grow and develop Canada’s watershed sectors to meet the challenges facing our watersheds. Along with other partners, there is a vast opportunity for the private sector to act as leaders in addressing these needs and translating opportunities into action, while at the same time managing business risk associated with water and other climate impacts.
Who Needs to Act?
Where to Begin:
Check out the Working for Watersheds Roadmap linked below and consider where your work fits into the five streams of action. Developed by the Working for Watersheds Initiative, the Watershed Sector Roadmap is a blueprint for sector development. The work began in BC but is applicable to efforts across Canada and beyond.
Key Resources and Best Practices Identified at GLOBE Forum 2024:
GLOBExCHANGE is focused on making progress on the goals that are not only critical to the success of your organizations, but to the wellbeing of our economy and our planet. We value the suggestions from our community of climate leaders, so if there are challenges or actions that you would like to see incorporated into the GLOBExCHANGE program, let your voice be heard by suggesting a session idea or speaker.
We look forward to seeing you at GLOBExCHANGE 2025 in Toronto on February 11 – 13!
