Why Hard-to-Abate Sectors Matter
Hard-to-abate sectors are vital to the Canadian economy, providing essential services, raw materials, and employment. However, these sectors also represent significant sources of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Addressing these emissions is critical to meeting Canada's net-zero targets by 2050.
Transitioning these industries requires:
- Advanced technologies (e.g., hydrogen, CCUS, electrification)
- New business models for a sustainable economy
- Collaborative policies between governments and private sectors
- Strategic investments in infrastructure and innovation
Sectors of Focus
The Climate Solutions for Hard-to-Abate Sectors program covers several key sectors, including:
- Critical Minerals: Decarbonizing mining operations and supply chains
- Steel and Cement: Reducing process emissions through electrification and carbon capture
- Oil and Gas: Deploying carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) technologies
- Aviation and Shipping: Exploring sustainable fuels and electrification pathways
- Agriculture: Optimizing processes to reduce methane and improve soil management
How to Get Involved?
This project is currently open to MBA students at UBC Sauder School of Business. Each summer, we select 1-2 students to work on a project aligned with the most pressing climate and sustainability challenges facing British Columbia and Canada.
Opportunities for Students
- Collaborate with industry leaders to explore innovative climate solutions.
- Conduct research and gain hands-on experience addressing real-world challenges.
- Present findings to decision-makers and the public, influencing policy and industry practices.
If you are an MBA student interested in making a meaningful impact through climate solutions, stay tuned for our annual summer project application process.
Canadian Critical Minerals and Climate Innovation Ecosystem
This initiative examines the crucial role of critical minerals in driving the climate economy, particularly in enabling the energy transition through technologies such as electric vehicles, renewable energy infrastructure, and energy storage. The increase in the demand for minerals like lithium, cobalt, and nickel emphasizes the need to explore solutions for extracting and utilizing these resources in ways that are both effective and environmentally responsible.
New report
As global demand for sustainable practices grows, minerals powering clean technologies, such as EVs and solar panels, are more crucial than ever. Our new report from the UBC Sauder Centre for Climate and Business Solutions explores the role of the Canadian minerals and mining sector in this transition.
What’s Inside:
- An overview of Canada’s mineral resources and their economic potential.
- Mapping of key players: startups, investors, research institutions, and more.
- Insights into collaboration opportunities and technological advancements needed to reach net-zero targets.
This report is the first in a series aimed at fostering innovation and collaboration within Canada’s critical minerals ecosystem
