Home > Conference > Conference Program > Plenaries, Dialogues & Roundtables

Opening Plenary: Building a Greener Economy through Innovation

It has been said that innovation will be one of the most important drivers of a greener economy. Innovation in the 21^st century requires a new blueprint - one that topples the top-down approach and engenders collaboration among companies, governments, and communities. The GLOBE 2012 Opening Plenary will focus on innovation and its role in driving sustainability. Join an elite roster of business and government leaders at the Opening Plenary which will set the stage for GLOBE 2012.

Natural Gas: Fueling the Future

Is natural gas the bridge to a carbon-free energy future? Natural gas is affordable, abundant, accessible, and can reduce emissions from the built environment and the power generation and transportation sectors. Hear how natural gas solutions are being deployed for economies that need greater energy security, affordable pricing, and better air quality. Panelists will discuss the opportunities and challenges for natural gas as a fuel source for powering a cleaner energy future.

Building Blocks for a Sustainable Economy Dialogue

Better technology, infrastructure, and policy are all essential to building a cleaner economy, especially at the municipal level. This Dialogue will explore how the private and public sectors see these elements working together as the building blocks of a sustainable economy, and how smart business strategies and government policies can accelerate the process.

Energy Dialogue: Collaboration & Innovation for the 21st Century

The global energy sector is undergoing a fundamental transformation due to technological innovation, supply fluctuations, and changing economic, regulatory, social, and political landscapes. Collaboration and innovation will play critical roles in this transformation that will result in energy companies of the 21st Century working together to achieve a cleaner energy future. Find out how in this special Energy Dialogue.

 

Retail Roundtable: Emerging Best Practices in Sustainable Retail

The sector-wide shift from viewing sustainability as a cost centre to recognizing it as an opportunity to reduce risk, improve relationships with customers and employees, and spur business growth and innovation is gaining momentum.  Potentially a key way to differentiate in a competitive market and build brand value, are retailers finally recognizing the merits of a sound sustainability plan in ensuring long-term business success? Or is the overarching need to reduce consumption simply at odds with the very foundation of retailing?  Find out as leading retailers discuss how and why sustainability is being incorporated into their companies on their paths to a better business model.

Town Hall: Energy Infrastructure - The Environment & Economy Debate

Energy resources are a huge Canadian competitive advantage and a major economic driver. Getting these energy resources to markets requires pipelines and electricity infrastructure with potentially dramatic environmental and social impacts, such as on Aboriginal communities.  Whether it's Keystone XL, Northern Gateway, or new large-scale electricity generation and transmission, grappling with the sustainable development of energy infrastructure is a critical business and environment issue. This special session will provide an opportunity to hear from key players engaged in the discussion on the development of energy infrastructure in North America.