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Circular Food Innovation Lab launches to help businesses cut food waste and costs
As food prices rise, many Vancouverites are feeling the effect on their budgets. Impacts on our local food industries from extreme weather events and supply chain interruptions are highlighting the importance of eliminating avoidable food waste across Vancouver. Through the VEC's Economic Transformation Lab, and in partnership with Emily Carr University of Art and Design and Mitacs, the City has created the Circular Food Innovation Lab to test solutions to this problem. -
First International Carbon Handprint Award competition launched at the GLOBE Forum in Vancouver
The Vancouver Economic Commission and the Climate Leadership Coalition launched the world’s first International Carbon Handprint Award. The competition is for any company or organization that manufactures a product or sells a service that helps its customers reduce their environmental footprint. -
See You at GLOBE Forum 2022: Vancouver Economic Commission Event Roundup
We’re excited to attend this year’s GLOBE Forum 2022 (March 29-31) and meet with the sustainability and climate community for the first time since before the pandemic. Plus, we’re excited to meet with you, too, so read this post for an exclusive VEC promo code for 10% of your Globe 2022 ticket! -
[Closed] Job Opportunity: Manager, Economic Transformation (Inclusive Workforce Development)
As a member of the Economic Transformation team, this exciting new role will focus on activities that build justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion (JEDI) in the local business communities. Apply by April 10, 2022 to be considered. -
21st Century Economics: Measuring Happiness
Dwindling faith in GDP metrics has renewed interest in assessing a population’s wellbeing by exploring new subjective metrics, incl. measuring happiness. -
Pitch Perfect: 5 BC climate technology startups to watch in 2022
As we count down to the final pitch night on April 5, here’s a look at the five startups whose game-changing innovations present sustainable, cost-effective and proven ways for consumers, businesses and communities to reduce their environmental footprint. -
Job Opportunity: Economic Transformation Analyst (Green Buildings) [Closed]
Join our team! VEC is looking for to support an Economic Transformation Analyst (Green Buildings) to help support initiatives in real estate and construction industries. All interested applicants must apply before March 20, 2022. -
Envision the Future: Celebrate 23 Black Leaders in Vancouver
In the spirit of centring Black contributions to our community, and the important role they play in building a future that is sustainable, equitable and powerful, we’ve compiled a diverse – but by-no-means-comprehensive – list of Black leaders in Vancouver whose work is too important not to commemorate. Uplift your feed by following these 23 Black leaders in Vancouver championing a just, resilient and more sustainable future. -
6 Angel Investors helping to accelerate Climate Solutions in Vancouver
The Angels for Climate Solutions program has welcomed a cohort of 21 new and seasoned angel investors. The education and training program aims to catalyze early-stage capital to progress promising climate technology startups. Six of the angel investors undergoing the program have offered to share their various journeys to this point. -
[Closed] Job Opportunity: Digital Marketing & Design Assistant (Contract)
The Digital Marketing & Design Assistant is responsible for assisting in the development of digital communications material in all forms of media, in line with the VEC brand and style guide. This is a 6-month contract position. -
Meet the Startups | 2022 Angels for Climate Solutions Startup Cohort
These 20 startups were selected through a rigorous process and are ready to hit the ground running in 2022, rising to the challenge presented by the Angels for Climate Solutions program. -
[Closed] Job Opportunity: Economic Transformation Coordinator (Circular Economy)
Job Description: Economic Transformation Coordinator (Circular Economy) Main Purpose and Function The Vancouver Economic Commission’s mandate is to support the building of a prosperous, inclusive, low-carbon and resilient economy in Vancouver. The Economic Transformation Coordinator... -
Editor’s Pick: Top 10 Stories from Vancouver’s Economy in 2021
We’ve done exactly what it says on the tin. The Vancouver Economic Commission has published more than 50 articles and 10 reports in 2021. If you only intend to read one thing from us all year, we suggest you pick from this shortlist of can’t-miss stories on developing trends and topics in the Vancouver economy. -
[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.