New Platform to Drive Adoption of Ready-to-Deploy Cleantech
Canada is taking bold steps towards a sustainable future with the launch of the Cleantech Adoption Platform (CAP), an initiative by Foresight Canada aimed at overcoming the significant hurdles in cleantech adoption. The platform is designed to connect both public and private sector buyers with ready-to-deploy cleantech solutions, providing a comprehensive hub for advancing sustainable productivity and reducing environmental impact across industries.
One of the key examples illustrating the challenges cleantech innovators face is the story of a Canadian cement supplier that developed a green cement product using clean technologies. Despite the cement sector being responsible for 26% of global industrial emissions, the adoption of low-carbon cement has proven difficult, as customers are often reluctant to move away from traditional products, even when greener alternatives are cost-competitive. This barrier is emblematic of the wider issue that many cleantech innovations face: despite being market-ready and environmentally beneficial, they often struggle to achieve large-scale adoption due to ingrained industry practices and resistance to change. Jeanette Jackson, CEO of Foresight Canada, highlights that while many cleantech solutions are now reaching cost parity with traditional options in sectors like energy, transportation, and construction, the pace of adoption remains slow.
She explains, “We’ve been supporting companies in the quest to test, scale, and commercialize their solutions for several years, but cleantech adoption isn’t happening at the scale it could be.” In response, Foresight Canada has launched the Cleantech Adoption Platform (CAP), aiming to provide businesses with a centralized space where they can access a range of products, services, and case studies related to cleantech solutions. CAP focuses on key areas such as waste management, water management, energy, transportation, and buildings—sectors that are crucial to the sustainable development of industries and municipalities across Canada. The platform’s mission is to educate potential buyers on the financial and strategic benefits of adopting cleantech solutions, helping organizations navigate the transition to a greener economy. CAP will also act as a resource to support technology adoption, with the goal of enabling Canadian companies to thrive in a future-focused, low-carbon economy.
As the green cement example shows, even when cleantech products offer the same performance and pricing as traditional options, the hurdle lies in achieving widespread adoption. Jackson emphasizes the importance of a concerted effort to increase the uptake of green solutions, stating, “We need at least 100 municipalities to purchase this product to make a meaningful shift towards sustainability.” By sharing success stories and fostering collaboration, CAP hopes to accelerate the pace of cleantech adoption across Canada. Jackson believes that as momentum builds, the cleantech community will be inspired to continue driving innovative solutions that balance both environmental and economic needs. The platform represents an exciting opportunity to unlock the potential of cleantech, ultimately helping businesses achieve their sustainability targets while fostering a productive, high-impact economy.
