GÉRALD GAREAU
Economic Development Advisor
Email:
Gerald.Gareau@cecs-sk.ca
Phone: 306.961.5782
The green economy is a strong emerging trend in recent years. According to the United Nations Environment Program, a green economy “results in improved human well-being and social equity, while significantly reducing environmental risks and ecological scarcities. In its simplest expression, a green economy is low-carbon, resource efficient, and socially inclusive.”
The Conseil économique et coopératif de la Saskatchewan (CÉCS) recognizes the challenges of sustainable development. In response, the CÉCS and its various partners have launched a new initiative to raise awareness among communities and support green economy projects:
The New Green in Busines$
Presentation
The initiative targets small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), municipalities, and organizations regarding social responsibility and sustainable development. It will be implemented until March 2024.
Indeed, SMEs and French-speaking communities need to recognize the importance of a sustainable development position. The circular economy is a catalyst that promotes new environmentally friendly approaches. It contributes to the social well-being and longevity of businesses and communities.
This initiative responds to the needs and challenges of Francophone communities expressed in the three Green Economic surveys conducted between 2018 and 2019. These surveys demonstrated the interest and willingness of participants to adopt better green practices daily and in the long term. They also highlighted the need for support from businesses, organizations, and municipalities to take action.
The circular economy is slowly shaping mentalities in Saskatchewan, where agriculture dominates in rural areas. However, the circular economy has definite potential for this industry, which generates substantial organic waste.
However, small rural communities suffer from a shortage of jobs, which hinders their development and growth. Therefore, the time is ripe to capitalize on the circular economy, assess opportunities, and support stakeholders in their desire to innovate to ensure sustainable development.
The New Green in Busines$ was designed by Economic Development Advisors (EDA) from the Conseil économique et coopératif de la Saskatchewan (CÉCS) to meet the identified needs.
The main objective is to transform opportunities into circular solutions and, in so doing, ensure the sustainability of businesses and the creation of new companies.
Strategic Objectives:
- Implement a concerted provincial strategy
- Develop support capacities in evaluation at the CÉCS level
- Support businesses, municipalities and organizations who are committed to developing new business ideas
- Stimulate the economy in the regions, specifically in rural areas
Spinoff
The advantages of the circular economy are numerous:
- A conscious and proactive new generation
- Companies and communities with an accurate portrait of their activities
- An increase in sound environmental practices
- Creation of partnerships
- Improved risk management
- Reducing operating and resource exploitation costs
- Creating new jobs and companies
- Use of waste
- Reducing the carbon footprint
Process Overview
2020
- Mapping of rural Francophone regions suitable for the project
- Identification of new products and possible partnerships
- Insights into global recycling markets in Saskatchewan
- Public information
- Identification of participants wishing to undertake a diagnostic process
2021-2024
- Organization of round tables in the province
- Promotion of the project to the public
- Support for businesses and communities
