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[New Video] Future-proofing Vancouver: Climate Talk vs Climate Action
When we’re in this mode of conversation about climate change … we tend to talk about these long-term objectives: net zero by 2050, half our emissions by 2030, 100% renewable by 2030. But we are not in 2050; we are in 2021. And we can achieve a great many things here. -
Embodied Carbon: Unbuilding the Harmful Waste Generated from Construction
Across the architecture, engineering and construction sectors, there’s a new type of carbon to worry about. It’s not just pollution coming “from the tailpipe”, but all the energy that goes into making, transporting, installing and, crucially, disposing of the materials and equipment of buildings. We call this embodied carbon. -
Can a Just Transition Solve Climate Change and Social Inequality?
What is the just transition? What does a just transition mean for workers in Vancouver? And what are some next steps to realize a just transition in Vancouver? For further studies on the just transition, read the Best Practices for a Just Transition Report. -
Business for Good: An Interview with Coro Strandberg on the Purpose Economy
To commemorate both Purpose in Business Week and the first-ever Propelling Purpose Summit (November 17–18), we chatted with Coro Strandberg, a leading expert on how market innovation can drive social change, and how social change can in turn unlock dividends for businesses, people and planet. -
Meet the new Vancouver Economic Development Advisory Board
The Vancouver Economic Development Advisory Board is comprised of 10 members with expertise in the just transition, economic reconciliation, built environment, market transformation, political science, artificial intelligence, Vancouver’s startup and innovation ecosystem, justice, equity, diversity and inclusion, the creative economy, the circular economy, and talent attraction and retention. -
Is the Green Economy Good for Business? Reflecting on the Greenest City Action Plan
By embedding sustainability metrics and climate action within our business ecosystem, our urban economy has become increasingly competitive and resilient. The number of green jobs in Vancouver grew by almost 90 percent over the past 10 years, and the number of businesses greening their operations quadrupled. The takeaway: going green has been good for business, innovation and the economy. -
The $10B+ Opportunity – BC’s Emerging Retrofit Economy
Buildings are the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in the city of Vancouver, and one of the largest in the region. Retrofitting them is a clear economic, climate, and health priority. The general direction is clear: levels of carbon pollution must go down in an orderly way towards 2050, beginning with our largest commercial buildings in the region, and equipment and envelope efficiency must rise. -
BC Film, TV, Post-Production & Animation spent $3.4 billion in 2020 despite COVID-19 production pauses
According to the Vancouver Economic Commission’s (VEC) annual film spend research, the local film, television, visual effects (VFX) and animation industries generated an impressive $3.4 billion in direct spending for the provincial economy despite months of filming delays caused by COVID-19. -
Geoff Teoli takes on Acting Film Commissioner role for Vancouver
Film and television industry veteran Geoff Teoli will take on the role of Acting Film Commissioner for Vancouver for the near term. Teoli brings more than two decades of frontline dealings in locations, workplace safety and permitting in and around Vancouver to the position, which leads business expansion and high-impact investment attraction initiatives on the city’s behalf. -
Vancouver Ecosystem launches Angels for Climate Solutions Program
The Vancouver Economic Commission (VEC), Innovate BC, Spring Activator, Volition and Foresight Canada are proud to launch Angels for Climate Solutions, a program aiming to increase the flow of capital investment into B.C.-based, early-stage climate technology startups. -
The Road to COP26: Why this Year’s Global Conference on Climate Change is the Most Critical Ever
We’ll never forget the summer of ‘21. Kicked off by a heat dome in late June and followed by devastating forest fires and record-setting temperatures, summer threw crippling curveballs into the tourism... -
A Guide to a Just Circular Economy of Food in Vancouver
In a just circular economy of food, there is no wasted food, and every person has access to healthy, nutritious meals. It's a daunting but achievable vision -- with the right action plan. Stay tuned for the upcoming publication “A Right to Food Framework for Tackling Food Waste and Achieving a Just Circular Economy.” -
Eleena Marley assumes position of Chief Executive Officer of Vancouver Economic Commission
Experienced business strategist and professional services advisor Eleena Marley will continue to helm the Vancouver Economic Commission (VEC) as Chief Executive officer for the foreseeable future, leading the team and setting the organization’s corporate, strategic and aspirational goals. -
$10aDay: Affordable Childcare is Coming to BC
After decades of advocacy, the provincial and federal governments have announced an investment of $3.2 billion over five years in quality, universal and affordable childcare. -
Your Guide to Esports in Vancouver (and Beyond)
First, a definition: esports is competitive video gaming. But there’s a lot more to it than casually playing some Fortnite. It’s an explosive billion-dollar industry – and if we’re going to... -
Another Entrant for Financing Decarbonized Buildings: Sustainable Mortgage-backed Securities
Retrofits are all the rage these days. From talk of climate action-oriented COVID-19 recovery strategies, to the recognition that many of our older buildings are ill-adapted to current conditions, the problem of retrofits occupies the minds of many a business leader and policymaker. -
What We’re Reading: 6 Books We’re Taking to the Beach this Summer
We’re taking these six economic-inspired books on our summer travels… and you should, too. After all, the economy is central to our lives, and inextricably connected to hot-button issues like climate change and reconciliation. Don’t you think it’s time to learn what it’s all about? -
Vancouver Film Commissioner assumes new Vice President role at Martini Film Studios
A natural evolution of his work of nearly five years as Vancouver’s first film commissioner, David Shepheard’s new role will see him continue to facilitate investment into the region while overseeing state-of-the-art infrastructure and enabling the development of Canadian content and IP. -
Vancouver’s Future of Prefab, Modular, Mass-timber Buildings
Canadians love wood – and that’s especially true for those here in Vancouver. Mass timber, arguably the darling of government and many designers these days, is often thought of as a single material or product. However, this overlooks the larger world of prefabricated and modular approaches proliferating across the construction industry... -
Five actions essential to supercharge BC’s life sciences industry
Despite recent successes and rising global attention to Vancouver and British Columbia’s life sciences sector, there are numerous outstanding opportunities to ensure the continued growth of this sector.