Alberta Innovates takes the world stage in Dubai

The world is gathering this week in the middle east to continue addressing our changing climate, with Alberta’s efforts standing out as part of Canada's delegation, showcasing progress in our collective journey towards a sustainable future.

Alberta Innovates joins Team Alberta at COP 28 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, highlighting our work and attracting global interest to our province. COP 28 is the world’s largest conference driving global leadership towards efforts to accelerate emissions reductions through pragmatic energy transitions, reforming land use and transforming food systems. None of this progress is possible without embracing innovation and finding new solutions that can be adopted and implemented around the world. Alberta Innovates accelerates this work with a strong focus on clean resource development as one of our priority areas. Tapping into new ideas is key to improving the lives of Albertans, building a strong economy for the future and solving some of the world’s biggest challenges, including climate change.

Our strategies are focused on a transformation of our resources, not their elimination. Alberta is emerging as a powerhouse of clean technology (cleantech) expertise capable of delivering a sustainable transformation of our energy resources. Examples of this work include our investment in the Hydrogen Centre of Excellence and facilities such as the Alberta Carbon Conversation Technology Centre, operated by InnoTech Alberta.

We are also the home of the Carbon Fibre Grand Challenge, a three-phase $26M project funding research and development into creating carbon fibre products made from Alberta bitumen. By developing alternative uses for bitumen, we aim to create new industries allowing continued use of our resources in ways that don’t involve burning them for fuel and creating more GHG emissions.

Cleantech continues to attract investment across Canada. Earlier in November 2023, the Canadian Venture Capital Association released Q3 numbers showing $800M invested across 55 deals this year in Canada. That matches the record deal count from 2021 and is on pace to surpass the record deal value from last year. Calgary is recognized as a jurisdiction to watch, rated as one of the Top 15 Cleantech ecosystems globally.

Energy transitions are only one part of the climate change and Alberta’s story. There is growing global recognition of the important role agriculture plays in both reducing emissions and increasing the absorption of carbon emissions. Alberta Innovates will showcase its priority work in Smart agriculture technology during a panel discussion at Canada’s pavilion that will attract international visitors. Our Net Zero Agriculture panel will highlight four private-sector projects funded by Alberta Innovates and Emissions Reduction Alberta, including the development of a global smart farm network to share research and best practices. Alberta Innovates is working with partners in Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and elsewhere to develop and grow this network.

Showcasing this work to international audiences is part of Alberta Innovates mandate to attract and nurture some of the best technology available to the benefit of Albertans and Canadians. We want to attract the best and Alberta has much to offer global partners.

Alberta Innovates creates opportunity to both partner with global organizations and foster home-grown talent. Few places in the world can offer the mix of energy resources, a strong agricultural heritage, growing cities, strong educational systems, and business-friendly environment that Alberta offers.

By joining the world in Dubai, we are saying ‘Alberta Innovates lives in this space’ and our offerings stack up against the world’s best. Ultimately, Albertans benefit through the discovery and development of new technologies, approaches, ideas and businesses.