This component aims to identify the most relevant approaches to create a business climate conducive to the transition of Quebec's manufacturing SMEs and increase the number of companies and value chains aligned with a 1.5*C warming
Description and objective
Identify the appropriate means and key moments to measure GHG emissions, set reduction targets and trigger action. During this first phase of the action-research project, the collaborators drew up a portrait of the three regions under study, and sought to better understand the regional factors that encourage the mobilization of manufacturing SMEs towards climate action. The three study regions are : Estrie, Montérégie and Montreal (Saint-Laurent arrondissement), an area with a high manufacturing density.
Achievements
1
Literature review
3
Portraits
regional
12
Interviews with
managers of SMEs
manufacturers
17
Transition
transition
indices
Key findings
1. Diversity of players and initiatives - an asset
The three regions rely on a wide range of players and initiatives to support SMEs in their sustainable development and climate action initiatives, including information, training, awareness-raising on climate issues, commitment to GHG measurement, implementation of concrete GHG reduction actions and access to financing.
1
Diversity
of players and
initiatives
– an asset
3. Data and directories - creating and simplifying access
To support SMEs and enable the business ecosystem to collaborate more fluidly at both regional and sectoral levels, access to common data sources is desirable: data to identify material, energy and GHG emission flows; data on the number of businesses by sector of activity and size; better knowledge of the profiles and needs of businesses in the region.
3
Data and directories
– create and simplify access
2. Consultation and coordination of regional action - to be strengthened
The coordinating role of regional action is particularly worthy of strengthening, to facilitate access to the right resources at the right time, and to simplify and accelerate the transition to action. Greater coordination of key players in the business ecosystem is needed to provide better support to business leaders and managers wishing to implement climate action.
2
Consultation
and coordination
of regional action
– to be consolidated
4. Boldness and leadership in local government - to be strengthened
Given their fundamental role in creating a climate conducive to business transition, municipal authorities could be much more proactive. Their sphere of influence includes land-use decisions, urban planning, transportation, infrastructure, construction, waste management and the implementation of GHG reduction and climate change adaptation projects. They are well positioned to put in place responsible local procurement mechanisms and incentives to encourage the adoption of practices to reduce, eliminate and prevent GHG emissions by businesses operating on their territory. Despite this strong potential for influence, the industrial sector within the three regions under study remains largely uninfluenced by municipal and regional authorities.
4
Boldness and leadership
local governments
– to be strengthened
In collaboration with
« We accompany more than a hundred SMEs each year in their transformation towards a greener economy and remain very aware that this effort presents major challenges for them. By joining forces in a concerted approach, we will increase our collective capacity to create a climate conducive to the
transition of SMEs across Quebec. »
-Jean-Pierre Gouin, Director General, ADDERE (Eastern Townships Region)
« The circular economy projects that we have been carrying out for several years: Symbiose agroalimentaire Montérégie and Vision circularité, have allowed us to create a network of partners from the economic milieu that includes public and private economic development organizations as well as businesses and sectoral groups. We welcome this initiative, which will allow us to share best practices
with a growing number of SMEs. »
– Andréanne Paris, Executive Director, Conseil régional de l'environnement de la Montérégie
« Companies are increasingly aware of the importance of integrating sustainability into their operations. In recent years, we have developed services to better inform, support manufacturing SMEs and encourage their sustainable transition: industrial ecology workshops and Eco-Networking between companies to integrate climate change, better manage energy, waste, promote the circular economy and other eco-responsible practices in the borough of Saint-Laurent. We applaud the vision developed by Québec Net Positif for this project, which can only have a positive impact on the Montréal region. »
– Leesa Hodgson, Executive Director, Industrial Excellence Saint-Laurent (Montreal Region)