When it comes to accelerating the transition to a low-carbon maritime shipping industry, the adoption of new practices, solutions and specific technologies isn’t cheap. So, while many technologies and solutions already exist today and many more are under development, the big question remains…how do we finance this great transition? This speaking stream will take a look at climate risk disclosure and the impact that is having on the financial community, what makes an investment opportunity actionable in green infrastructure, venture capital investments in the cleantech sector, and how joint innovation projects can be funded through innovative public-private partnerships.
Agenda:
9:00 – 9:15 AM Opening Remarks and Introductions
9:15 – 10:15 AM 4 presentations of 12-15 minutes each (as outlined below)
10:15 – 11:00 AM Panel discussion with Q&A from members & guests
Topic #1: The Growth of Sustainable Finance
The growing momentum behind sustainable finance—directing capital towards projects that are climate positive and reducing greenhouse gas emissions—is creating an enormous economic opportunity. What are the different ways your business can best position itself to take advantage of the opportunity sustainable finance presents? Who are the players looking to invest in this space? This presentation will look at the global trends around sustainable finance, what it means for the maritime industry, and how better disclosure of climate risk can be a strategic advantage for your business.
Topic #2: Investing in Green Infrastructure
Investing in green infrastructure will be an important aspect of any resilience and adaptation strategy that a community such as the maritime industry in BC is facing. Learn about key project development and finance milestones from an investment perspective. What innovative finance options could be brought to our green maritime projects here? What are the current challenges to overcome and how are we positioned to take advantage of these opportunities (or not).
Topic #3: Cleantech and Venture Capital
Greater Vancouver has a thriving cleantech community that is recognized as the largest in Canada and one of the top 10 clusters in the world. With about 300 pure-play cleantech companies, and hundreds more that are sustainability-related, Vancouver is well-positioned to assist the local maritime sector decarbonize. So, how are these start-ups and scale-ups funded? What are the financial supports in place from our senior levels of government? What role does venture capital and angel investments play? How can we do a better job in matching our cleantech community with our maritime sector and get pilots funded and low-carbon solutions adopted?
Topic #4: Financing Joint Innovation Projects
Washington Maritime Blue has a model to get key pilots and demonstration projects off the ground. They are called Joint Innovation Projects and are a creative approach to Public-Private Partnerships. Learn about how project consortiums are formed in ways that can accelerate design and implementation of key projects. Using the Hydrofoil Fast Ferry as the example, learn about the mechanics of the financial deal and consider what’s transferable here in the Canadian context. Who were the key leaders? Supporters? What role did economic development play versus climate?
Bring your curiosity and questions as there will be a panel discussion after the 4 talks for you to get your questions answered and comments heard.
Sponsored by the Vancouver Economic Commission