A GreenMFG Network Event

In Part 1 of EMC’s GreenMFG Network – Green Supply Chain Series, join us for an insightful exploration of the relationship between Climate Action and Climate Adaptation as we hear from sector experts at BDC who will share insights from a new study to support Canadian Entrepreneurs, Insurance Bureau of Canada who will share perspective on the insurance impacts of Climate Chance and Disaster Resilience, and a Manufacturing Perspective with EMC and our GreenMFG Network partner NGen.

Canadian companies already face several direct and indirect risks from climate change. To date, companies have focused primarily on reducing their carbon footprint. However, climate adaptation and resilience are growing in importance and can potentially pose one of the greatest threats to businesses and their employees. One of the key risks that Canadian small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) must now consider in their business planning is the physical impact of climate change on their operations.

According to a recent BDC survey, one-third of Canadian SMEs have already been negatively impacted, mostly through lost sales, increased costs and supply chain disruptions. Half of the respondents expect to be affected in the coming years. Unfortunately, few of these SMEs have taken steps to reduce their vulnerability and protect their assets. The main reason that Canadian SMEs are not paying much attention to the physical impacts of climate change is that they need information and expertise to properly assess this risk and implement adaptation measures in their business. If the expected costs and impacts of climate change are well understood and changes in the operating environment are routinely assessed, climate change can also provide opportunities for Canadian businesses to remain competitive.   

Discover: 

• The difference between Climate Action and Climate Adaptation  
• Current trends and costs associated with Climate Adaptation 
• Best practices and how SMEs are successfully navigating Climate Adaptation  
• Insurance risks / implications of our changing environment and expectations for the future
• Manufacturing Perspective: What can industry do?

During this interactive presentation, you will gain tangible recommendations to prepare your company for the current and future business environment.

Speakers:

Chrystal Healy, Associate Vice President of Sustainable Development at BDC is responsible for implementing their sustainable development strategy. Holding a bachelor’s degree and a master’s in biology, as well as an MBA, Chrystal is a recognized leader with more than 17 years of extensive experience in the field of environment and sustainable development. She previously held the position of Vice President Corporate Responsibility at Transat. Prior to this, Chrystal held sustainability-related positions at Kruger and Quebecor.     

Sylvie Ratte, Senior Economist at BDC is an experienced and passionate economist with extensive knowledge in business dynamics, strategies, financing, productivity and sustainable practices. Sylvie has been with BDC for over 20 years and prior to that was the Director of Economic Research with the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) and an Economic Development Analyst with Finance Canada. Sylvie is a member of the Public Policy Committee of the Association des économistes québécois (ASDEQ) and holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in economics from the Université du Québec à Montréal.

Craig Stewart, Vice President, Climate Change and Federal Issues, at the Insurance Bureau of Canada. Craig leads national work on disaster resilience and climate change at the Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC). Previous to his work with IBC, Craig directed the Ottawa Bureau and Arctic program for WWF Canada, handled pandemic liaison, trade liaison and humanitarian donations for GlaxoSmithKline (Canada) Ltd., directed a $60 million federal/provincial/territorial program at Natural Resources Canada to elevate the Canadian geospatial industry and founded the Miistakis Institute at the University of Calgary. Craig holds a master of science from the University of Calgary, and a bachelor of arts in political science from the University of Toronto. He is the author of two atlases on the Rocky Mountains of Alberta, British Columbia and Montana.

Manufacturing Perspective (EMC and NGen): To be announced.