This executive summary lays out highlights from the report "Navigating Net Zero:聽How Telecommunications Can Steer Canada's Greenhouse Gas Reduction Journey,"聽written by Max Bell School聽Master of Public Policy聽students Abdul-Hakim Fuseini, Adam Suleman, Emily Peden, and Rebecca Kresta as part of the 2024 Policy Lab.
Access the summary and presentation below, and read their full report聽here.
Canada is a major per capita emitter of greenhouse gases (GHGs) and has set an ambitious climate goal of cutting GHG emissions by 40-45% below 2005 levels by 2030 and reaching net-zero emissions by 2050. The transportation, agricultural, oil and gas, and electricity sectors are significant contributors to its emissions. One of the promising yet underutilized聽tools in the effort to reduce emissions is telecommunications technology. Telecommunications technologies can facilitate ride-sharing and carpooling platforms, optimizing vehicle use and reducing individual trips. They also enable remote work and virtual meetings, reducing the need for commuting and business travel which has the potential to reduce annual GHG emissions by 9.5 mega tonnes of CO2 equivalent. Precision agriculture is another application where telecommunications technologies can reduce emissions. If these agritech solutions are implemented, it could result in a 3% emissions reduction. The combined potential in all sectors for telecommunications technologies is a 15% reduction in GHG emissions globally.
Informed by literature reviews, stakeholder interviews, and case studies, this brief presents policy recommendations for leveraging telecommunications technology to drive GHG emission reductions across Canadian industries and governments. Despite the potential of telecommunications technologies to reduce GHG emissions, several barriers are delaying their widespread adoption. High initial costs are a hurdle, especially for small and medium-sized businesses that cannot support long聽 delays for a return on investment. Additionally, there is a significant awareness gap in the role telecommunications technologies can have in reducing GHG emissions leading to slower adoption rates. Cybersecurity concerns are a barrier because users are concerned that by adopting technologies, they are exposing themselves to new risks. Regulatory uncertainties also play a significant role, as unclear and inconsistent policies can make companies hesitant to invest and innovate in telecommunications deployment.
To reduce these barriers and incentivize the adoption of these technologies, this brief offers two action-oriented recommendations. The first recommendation is the creation of a Telecommunications-Enabled GHG Reductions Partnership. This Public-Private Partnership would include telecommunications companies, dependent industries, and the federal government. This Partnership will find opportunities within various industries and聽organizations where telecommunications technologies can help reduce GHG emissions. After identifying these projects through industry analysis or applications received from companies, the Partnership will offer expertise and opportunities to collaborate closely with these organizations, providing on-site support to implement the solutions. The adoption of these technologies has the potential to reduce GHG emissions in Canada by up to 6%.
The Partnership would be structured like a consultancy, with small teams who can provide advice and expertise that businesses may not have in-house. The Partnership would have a 5-year mandate to partner with 500 businesses to scale proven emission-reducing technologies. Businesses would be responsible for the purchase of the hardware for the projects while the employees of the Partnership would be funded by the federal government. The employees of the partnership would be on a three to five-year secondment providing a聽natural point for program re-evaluation. Through an activity-based cost estimate, this 5-year program is estimated to cost $29 million.
The second recommendation is the establishment of a National Smart Grid Interoperability and Cooperation Framework. As projects roll out across Canada, the absence of standardized protocols for smart grid technologies is expected to cause compatibility issues which hinder the smooth and efficient integration of different systems. This Framework would set a national standard at a crucial stage in the roll-out process. Inspired by international models, this initiative aims to create a cohesive national smart grid with the potential to reduce GHG emissions by up to 3.9%. The implementation of a national smart grid would leverage telecommunications technologies to optimize energy distribution and consumption.
A phased implementation plan is proposed. Phase 1, guided by the Standards Council of Canada (SCC), focuses on the development of national interoperability standards by a technical committee of experts and interested parties. Phase 2 centres on enabling interprovincial cooperation through standardized Memorandums of Understanding, supporting a unified national electricity market. Phase 3 ensures compliance with the established standards through regular monitoring and enforcement. Through a bottom-up activity-based cost analysis, the total cost estimate for ten years is projected to be $1 million.
Leveraging telecommunications technologies can significantly reduce Canada's GHG emissions and help actualize Canada鈥檚 climate targets. Addressing barriers through strategic partnerships and standardized frameworks will enable Canada to transition smoothly to a sustainable, low-carbon future. These initiatives not only reduce GHG emissions but also promote industry-wide collaboration and innovation.
Download the full version of this report聽here.
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