Nicholas Parker - BEI

Healthy Waters,A Prosperous Future

Nicholas Parker

Chair, Blue Economy Initiative

Canadian Water Summit

June 28, 2012

Calgary, Alberta

1

We need to radically rethink and change the way we approach water issues

2

BOTTOM LINE

It’s time to challenge the status quo:

What is the impact and opportunity of the looming global water scarcity?

How do we surface, understand and address the value of embedded water?

Is there a new water management paradigm emerging, such as where treatment is distributed and profitable?

What’s the best way to develop and deploy exportable excellence?

3

RETHINK

WHO WE ARE

4

Centre of Excellence for Canadian water research

Leading financial institution and supporter of water issues globally

Philanthropic leader in support of innovative water policy

Partnership initiative:

Challenge to explain water scarcity here at home.Water issues go beyond Canada’s borders.

Canada can be of global service.

Opportunities Bring innovative technologies to market Enable smart decisions via information technology Upgrade infrastructure, rethink future needs (low impact, efficient) Enhance water productivity, close loop on industrial systems

WHY – OUR OPPORTUNITIES

5

HOW – OUR PURPOSE

Change the dialogue by building the economic case for sustainability and innovation

Catalyze well-informed decisions, policies, practices & initiatives

Capitalize on strengths & opportunities, inspiring local and national action

6

A. Convey Content (via feature reports)

1. Scoping info gaps in valuing water2. Global scan, Canadian context3. Investing in innovative water infrastructure4. Virtual water approach5. Accounting for water values

B. ConveneC. Catalyze

HOW – OUR PATH

7

By Renzetti, Dupont & Wood Nov 2011

Two of Canada’s best environmental economists and an award-winning journalist

revisited economist Andrew Muller’s 1985 analysis to articulate the value of water’s

contribution to the Canadian economy.

HOW – 1ST FEATURE REPORT

8

Running through Our Fingers: How Canada fails to capture the value of its top asset

Water contributes est $8-23B to Canada’s economy

Reality is we do not know.- Poor understanding of range of values provided by water- Inadequate reporting, lack info to make good decisions

Meanwhile, we are missing the bus.- Our competitors are improving their decision-making, and

creating solutions to address the global water crisis

1ST FEATURE REPORT – KEY POINTS

9

Global Context, Canada’s Role Water fuels global economy, lifeblood of ecosystems Growing gap between water supply & demand

- 1 billion people lack access to drinking water (UN 2012)- 2.7 billion confront severe scarcity at least one mon/yr (Plos One)- 40-50% higher global water demand by 2030 (McKinsey)- $35-$40 trillion needed for urgent water infra needs (Boston CG)

Canada must tap into its strengths/opportunities to take lead role in water stewardship and technology

2nd in Series: Work in Progress

10

Canada supports a prosperous future as a global leader in water stewardship

VISION

11

COLLABORATIVE EFFORT

12

Cannot do it alone…

Invitation to all those involved in pioneering

a blue economy… we need to work to

together and grasp the opportunities.

CONTACT INFO

13

www.blue-economy.caGeneral Inquiries:

[email protected]

Lois Corbett, Manager [email protected]

Korice Moir, [email protected]

Twitter: @BlueEconomyca