September 22, 2022 (Ottawa, ON) – The Grain Growers of Canada (GGC) are pleased to announce that René Drolet Consulting Services has been selected as the lead in developing a path forward for the “Road to 2050,” a climate solutions initiative to help meet Canada’s ambitious goal of net-zero emissions by 2050.
“I am excited to be part of the development of a Roadmap to net-zero for Canada’s Grain Sector,” said René Drolet, who will serve as the principal consultant. “All sectors of the economy must contribute to Canada’s efforts to achieve net-zero by 2050. By launching this initiative, grain producers have demonstrated that they are committed to doing their part.”
“The Grain Growers of Canada could not be more pleased to work with René Drolet on this path to 2050,” added Andre Harpe, chair of the Grain Growers of Canada. “The agriculture sector is complex, and continued innovation is critical if we want to achieve sector-wide success. We are confident that René and his team have the unique skills and the impressive range of expertise and experience necessary to meet the challenge of developing a path to net-zero emissions that considers the challenges and opportunities within our sector.”
Drolet will lead a team of four consultants with unparalleled expertise and experience in environmental and economic policy development. Through his work as a consultant with the Cement Association of Canada and as Director of Policy and Research for the National Roundtable on the Environment and the Economy (NRTEE), Drolet has extensive experience with the development of environmental and climate policies and programs and is well versed in the issues facing industry associations.
“The agriculture sector is often criticized compared to other areas of the economy,” Drolet explained. “But agriculture differs from large industrial emitters, and this roadmap will help build awareness of the sector. Agricultural sources of emissions are numerous and somewhat diffuse compared to heavy industry, and the solutions may exist on-site. This roadmap will take stock of GHG emission sources and identify potential solutions to reduce emissions and facilitate carbon sequestration.
The roadmap will reflect the work farmers have done and can sustainably do in the future. Serving as a guide for government policies and programs directed at Canada’s grains sector, the roadmap will prioritize innovation, research and best management practices to boost productivity while continuing to enhance soil quality, improve carbon sequestration potential and reduce emissions. Building off farmers’ stewardship practices will safeguard economic competitiveness and better position farmers to capitalize on this historic opportunity.
“Given the nature of the sector, the roadmap to net zero will not be straightforward and will require innovative ways of doing business,” adds Drolet. “The main challenge, which makes this so exciting, will be to develop feasible and effective pathways to reduce the sector’s overall carbon footprint. Many factors, such as geographic location, type of soils and the size of farms, will need to be considered to ensure the roadmap is inclusive, credible, practical, and achievable.”
For more information:
Cole Christensen
Communications Consultant
E: media@ggc-pgc.ca
P: 403-589-3529
Grain Growers of Canada provides a strong national voice for over 65,000 active and successful grain, oilseed and pulse producers through its 14 provincial, regional and national grower groups. Our mission and mandate are to pursue a policy environment that maximizes global competitiveness and to influence federal policy on behalf of independent Canadian grain farmers and their associations.