2023-09-23 04:02:48
Quebec has strong ambitions in terms of reducing greenhouse gases (GHG), and research and technological innovation are essential levers that allow it to progress more quickly towards achieving its environmental objectives. Here is an overview of the initiatives that are accelerating its transition to a green economy, including the collaborative research and development (R&D) funding program. INNOV-Ra key pillar of this approach.
To address the climate emergency, Quebec has committed to reducing its GHG emissions by 37.5% compared to 1990 by 2030, with the ultimate objective of achieving carbon neutrality in 2050. The government implements numerous strategies across various business sectors to achieve its ambitious targets, demonstrating its determination to actively contribute to the climate solution.
In 2013, the Quebec government implemented a cap-and-trade system for emissions rights to regulate the activities of large GHG-emitting companies. More than $750 billion has been raised since the launch of the carbon market, and these funds have been largely reinvested in projects to combat climate change. Quebec is therefore banking on a sustainable economy by supporting businesses so that they can reduce their carbon footprint and therefore become more resilient.
Financing collaborative innovation to decarbonize the economy
One thing is certain: solving environmental problems, which are often very complex, requires innovation and collaboration between different stakeholders. This is why several funding programs have been created to bring regarding new R&D projects aimed at reducing Quebec’s environmental footprint.
Among these, the program INNOV-R, a true accelerator of climate transition, promotes the emergence of innovative practices by focusing on collaboration between companies and public research stakeholders. The program aims, among other things, to encourage the emergence and support the patenting of new technologies and innovative practices that allow Quebec to reduce its GHG emissions, to promote the dissemination of new knowledge in terms of GHG reduction and to stimulate consultation between stakeholders in the research and innovation sector.
Launched in 2018, INNOV-R is one of the many financing programs set up by Sectoral industrial research groups (RSRI) of Quebec. Their mission: to support an innovation ecosystem conducive to the development of strategic sectors of the economy for the benefit of businesses, research centers and Quebec society.
Designated by the government of Quebec, the RSRI act as financing and collaboration intermediaries for R&D projects. Nine in number, they support the excellence of key sectors of the Quebec economy, namely: the biopharmaceutical field, medical technologies, aluminum, aerospace, metal transformation, the development of advanced materials, the transformation digital technology, electric energy and transport, and industrial bioprocesses.
Support offered by the program INNOV-R can be a real game-changer when it comes to bringing projects to fruition. In fact, qualifying organizations – businesses, public research institutes – can receive a non-refundable and non-recurring financial contribution totaling up to 50% of eligible expenses. By combining this contribution with other financing programs, up to 80% of eligible project expenses can be covered by public financing.
Finally, if an initiative supports the fight once morest climate change without aiming to reduce GHGs in Quebec, other options are offered. Thus, each RSRI posts a list of funding programs on its website.
The future begins now
The program INNOV-R propels successful projects, which have had or will have concrete benefits for reducing GHGs in Quebec. For example, Laval University and Kruger received funding to develop construction materials requiring less energy over their entire life cycle (extraction, transformation, transport, maintenance). This support allows them to develop biosourced insulation and membranes using cellulose filaments which will reduce the carbon footprint of the built environment.
Another promising partnership: that of the company Camso and the National Research Council Canada aimed at developing electric and autonomous agricultural vehicles. The new technologies that will result from this collaboration will help green this key sector of our economy.
A third initiative, born from a collaboration between the Innovative Vehicle Institute (IVI), Hydro-Québec, AddÉnergie, Autobus Laval and the Lion Electric Company, gave rise to the creation of a new subsidiary, Cléo, which supports vehicle fleet operators in the electrification of their fleet, as well as the training of highly qualified personnel in the transport electrification sector.
An ecosystem promoting networking between industries and the research community
THE RSRI prove to be the gateway to supporting collaborative R&D projects aimed at proposing solutions to climate disruption. They mobilize the creativity of businesses and the expertise of public research institutes with the crucial goal of reducing GHG emissions in Quebec. The financing provided by the RSRI also helps reduce the financial burden on businesses related to R&D (notion of “de-risking”). Thus, this collaborative approach makes it possible to share the costs and risks inherent in R&D.
Representing the flagship sectors of Quebec, the sectoral industrial research groupings (RSRI) have the mission of establishing and supporting a collaborative innovation ecosystem conducive to the development of strategic sectors of the economy for the benefit of companies, centers of research and Quebec society. Information : rsri.quebec
This content was produced by the Special Publications team at Duty in collaboration with the advertiser. The editorial team of Duty had no role in the production of this content.
To learn more regarding INNOV-R
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