Innovating Policies to Drive Green Growth and Economic Resilience

Sustainability is no longer just an environmental imperative—it’s a cornerstone of economic resilience and long-term prosperity. At last December’s Government Innovation Showcase in BC , experts from academia, government, and non-profit sectors convened for a panel discussion on "Innovating Policies to Drive Green Growth and Economic Resilience," offering strategies for public sector leaders to integrate sustainability without compromising economic progress. Here are their key takeaways:

Brian Nicholson, Director, Government Relations, Energy Future Labs

1. Policy must bridge economic and environmental goals – Green growth isn’t a trade-off; competitiveness now includes ecological performance.
   "You can’t optimize for the economy and ignore the climate—they’re interconnected."
2. Transition finance is critical – Funding high-emitters to adopt clean tech prevents carbon leakage and shields consumers from cost spikes.
3. Backcasting unlocks collaboration – Polarized groups find common ground by defining a shared future first, then working backward.

Nathaniel Gosman, Assistant Deputy Minister, Energy Decarbonization Division, B.C. Ministry of Energy and Climate Solutions

1. Local action drives national change – The BC Energy Step Code lets cities lead, then scales to provincial/federal policy.
   "Market share of clean tech tells the real story—like BC’s 23% EV adoption in new vehicle sales."
2. Resilience = cooling + carbon cuts – Heat pumps address both emissions and extreme heat survival reflecting primary a dimension of resilience
3. Economics will decide the transition – Clean tech must outcompete fossils on price to scale.

Dr. Tamara Krawchenco, Assistant. Director, Institute for Integrated Energy Systems, University of Victoria

1. Rural innovation needs different solutions – Decarbonizing remote areas requires place-specific strategies (e.g., long-range EVs, microgrids).
   "Governments keep betting on single technologies—but regional diversity is key."
2. Canada has a critical opportunity to develop a cohesive green economy vision—one that clearly links sustainability to economic growth, much like the Netherlands and other global leaders have done. By articulating this connection, we can unlock innovation, attract investment, and align federal, provincial, and local strategies for long-term prosperity
3. Policy alignment starts with shared priorities – Focus on areas where local/provincial/federal goals overlap (e.g., workforce training).

Sustainability isn’t just an environmental imperative—it’s the foundation of economic resilience, innovation, and equitable growth. From local policy initiatives to rural clean-tech solutions, Canada’s path forward demands collaboration, smart incentives, and measurable action. The time for siloed thinking is over; our future hinges on integrating sustainability into every decision, today.