GUELPH – Circular Opportunity Innovation Launchpad (COIL), a Smart Cities initiative between Guelph and Wellington County, launched the Climate and Circularity Solutions Hub on Sept. 19.
The Hub provides expertise, research and strategies to help regional businesses and community organizations adopt circular economy actions to reduce carbon emissions and tackle climate change, according to an Oct. 3 press release.
Regional networks
Leveraging COIL’s existing regional networks, infrastructure and expertise, the Hub understands, develops and shares specific strategies to reduce waste, create new value and fight climate change. It supports new learning opportunities, and the evaluation and measurement of circular approaches maximizing emission reductions.
“The circular economy is climate action, and in Ontario we have an incredible ecosystem of leaders committed to building a more sustainable future,” states Smart Cities Office executive director David Messer.
“The research and programming within the Hub fosters new knowledge, tools and resources that will engage more people with the circular economy and ensure developed strategies deliver maximum impact toward emissions reduction,” he added.
Areas of innovation
The Hub drives innovation through three areas:
– Carbon Negative Innovation Zone: Using COIL expertise, this zone will attract forward-looking businesses and social innovators to work together on system-changing demonstration projects. The Hub prototypes and pilots policies, tools, technology and infrastructure to accelerate climate-smart and circular systems redesign;
– New Climate-Smart Circular Indicators: Not all circular strategies result in emissions reductions. Innovation efforts must concentrate investigation on approaches and practices that maximize decarbonization. The Hub brings together experts, academic partners and communities of practice to stimulate new thinking to identify, measure and verify circular economic pathways and best-practices; and
– Learning Extension: Businesses – their leaders, staff and customers – need greater awareness of the benefits and opportunities of the circular economy for sustainable growth. The Hub leads education, training and engagement programs that will increase knowledge and skills needed to drive a climate-smart circular economy.
Collaborators
COIL’s Climate and Circularity Solutions Hub collaborators and advisors include: 10C Shared Space, Anthesis Provision, Arrell Food Institute at University of Guelph, CSA Group, David Suzuki Foundation, Innovation Guelph, Innovation North, Ivey Business School – Centre for Building Sustainable Value, Network for Business Sustainability and Our Food Future.
Funding for initial Hub programming and research was provided by corporate supporters, such as Desjardins and Maple Leaf Foods. Circular Opportunity Innovation Launchpad (COIL) is reliant on generous contributions from funders. Anyone interested in helping further the organization’s circular economy goals, is urged to contact us at info@coil.eco.
