R3 2023

Phil de Luna

Sustainability Expert, McKinsey & Company

Phil De Luna is currently an Expert, Sustainability at McKinsey & Company where he advises corporations, governments, and non-profits on decarbonization to enable sustainable inclusive growth. He is a Governor General Gold Medal winning scientist, ranked in the top 0.01% in the world in his field, a mentor at Creative Destruction Lab, and chair of Carbon Management Canada. Prior to McKinsey, Phil was the youngest-ever Director at the National Research Council where he built and led a $57M R&D program developing disruptive technologies to decarbonize Canada. He was a co-founder of CERT Technologies, a carbontech startup and finalist in the $20M Carbon XPRIZE. He is a Member of the Royal Society of Canada, an adjunct Professor of Materials Science & Engineering at the University of Toronto, a former Member of Parliament candidate, a Globe & Mail Top 50 Changemaker, and a Forbes Top 30 Under 30.

NBIF’s Climate Impact Fund launched in September of 2021 and, in its first year supported a wide variety of projects, including technology development and commercialization, environmental research, and support for cleantech at NB startups and SMEs. This session will highlight the impacts and outcomes of several projects supported by this initiative. Learn how NB innovators are working with partners and starting companies that translate research into real-world impacts addressing NB’s Climate Challenges.

SPEAKERS:

1. Dustin Bowers, CEO, Plaex Systems
2. Dr. Thierry Chopin, Professor, UNB Biology and Founder, Turquoise Revolution
3. Dr. Myriam Barbeau, Professor, UNB Biology

Businesses are under continued pressure to reduce emissions and improve sustainability, but the steps needed to achieve this are often unclear. How can organizations get started in improving their environmental footprint? This session will explore improving efficiency, lowering emissions, and becoming more environmentally sustainable. And the available resources and incentives, how to identify them, and how to apply to these agencies that can best assist an organization's needs.

SPEAKERS:

1. Jess Peters, COO & Co-founder, RIDDL
2. Cassidy Weisbord, Hub Manager, Green Economy NB
3. Émilie Landry, Technical Energy Advisor, NB Power
4. David Kincade, Owner, Alberta Business Grants

5. Emma Theriault, Owner, DAS Concrete

NB has a robust research community creating the clean technology of the future and unique resources available through our innovation ecosystem to help bring these new technologies to market. This session will discuss how innovators move an idea out of the laboratory toward commercial implementation, including customer discovery, finding partners, and founding spinout companies. Finding and using resources available through the ecosystem and making the most of early investment and non-dilutive funding will also be covered.

SPEAKERS:

1. Charles Gaudet, Trade Commissioner, Global Affairs Canada
2. Xavier Hébert-Couturier, CEO, Picketa Systems
3. Joe Allen, Managing Director, Energia Ventures
4. Sarah Pyke, Ecosystem Lead, Sustainable Development Technology Canada

Connecting for Climate Innovation

Climate change is complicated but New Brunswick’s innovative and entrepreneurial spirit is up to the task. A smarter future requires new perspectives, cleaner technology, a collaborative spirit, and a drive for innovation.

Keynote Speaker

Phil de Luna

Panel Sessions

The Climate Impact Fund- Advances from Year One

Breakout Session A: Going Green - Where to start? Resources for Businesses

Breakout Session B: Advancing Cleantech to Market - Pathways for Researchers and Entrepreneurs

Student Poster Competition