Conference // Canadian Water Summit 2012, Calgary
"The Water-Food-Energy Nexus: Strategies for Competitiveness"
MORNING KEYNOTE from The Honourable Diana McQueen, Minister of Environment and Water, Government of Alberta
As a province with a strong foothold in agriculture and an increasingly important role on the global energy stage, Alberta has a unique perspective on how water resources are impacted by the demand for food and energy. Minister McQueen will share the new administration's vision for how to cultivate competencies and leadership in managing this precious resource.
WATER-FOOD-ENERGY NEXUS: Strategies for Competitiveness
The Water-Food-Energy Nexus represents both challenge and opportunity. Together, population growth, urbanization and rising consumption are increasing pressures on the health of freshwater ecosystems. In this integrated panel, senior decision-makers will dive into the Nexus to explore strategies for competitiveness that are both sector-specific and cross-sectoral. -Moderator: Sandra Odendahl, Director of Corporate Environmental Affairs, Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) -Michael Glade, Director, Water Resources & Real Estate, Molson Coors Brewing Company -Geoff Riggs, Global Business Services - Smarter Cities, IBM Canada -Dan Wicklum, Chief Executive, Canada's Oil Sands Innovation Alliance
CANADIAN WATER LEADERSHIP
Across the country, there are three exciting national initiatives aimed at exploring the water opportunity for Canada. This panel will feature leaders of those initiatives with a view to both celebrating their mandates and identifying points of convergence where they could benefit by collaborating. -Moderator: Anthony Watanabe, President & CEO, Innovolve Group Inc. -David Marshall, Chair, Canada Wide Water Strategy, Canadian Water Resources Association -Cairine McDonald, Chair, Water Stewardship Council, Council of the Federation -Nicholas Parker, Executive Chairman, Blue Economy Initiative
LUNCHEON KEYNOTE ADDRESS from Dominic Waughray, Senior Director and Head of Environmental Initiatives, World Economic Forum
The World Economic Forum has identified the Water-Food-Energy Nexus as a risk where a rapidly rising and urbanizing global population is putting unsustainable pressures on resources. Demand for water, food and energy is expected to rise by 30-50% in the next two decades. What is the current state of this global picture and what does it mean for Canadian industry? Responding to the WEF perspective will be Richard Connor, Lead Author of the UN's recently published 4th World Water Report. Don't miss these two global thought leaders as they set the international stage for Canadian opportunities in the Water-Food-Energy Nexus.
Keeping Our Cities Afloat: Rethinking Regional Water Management
-Kathleen LeClair, Chief Officer, Capital Region Board (Invited) -Colleen Shepherd, Executive Director, Calgary Regional Partnership
From the Field to the Shelf: Water Solutions Across the Food Supply Chain
-Ron McMullin, Executive Director, Alberta Irrigation Projects Association -Brent Paterson, Executive Director, Irrigation and Farm Water Division, Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development
Innovating Up and Down Stream: Smarter Water Use in Energy Production
-Dr. John Zhou, Executive Director of Environmental Management, Alberta Innovates
CANADA LEADS: How to secure the Nexus for us and the World
The Water-Food-Energy Nexus poses significant risk, but it also presents a shared opportunity to lead in the design of innovative and sustainable water solutions. Join leading water experts in uncovering the tools and technologies that can help Canada build a blue brand by: -Protecting watersheds to drive business competitiveness; -Leading in the development and deployment of technological innovation; -Envisioning and implementing enlightened policy; -Promoting prosperity through water innovation; and, -Restoring ecosystem health. Moderator: Garrick Ng, Vice President, Innovolve Group Inc.