{"id":428,"date":"2022-05-16T15:37:00","date_gmt":"2023-10-18T15:37:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/?p=428"},"modified":"2023-10-18T17:35:25","modified_gmt":"2023-10-18T17:35:25","slug":"why-the-future-of-canada-s-industrial-sector-is-net-zero","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/ca\/blog\/why-the-future-of-canada-s-industrial-sector-is-net-zero\/","title":{"rendered":"Why The Future Of Canada\u2019s Industrial Sector Is Net Zero"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

If you work in the industrial sector and worry that fostering greater sustainability is an insurmountable challenge, you should listen to Jason Olbekson.<\/p>\n

As Salesforce\u2019s Industry Advisor Director for Oil and Gas, Jason is seeing first-hand how companies are responding to the call to cut greenhouse gas emissions. Instead of feeling threatened by the changes they need to make, he says he is witnessing many of these firms pursue wide-ranging transformation. <\/p>\n

\u201cWhen you look at that increasing pressure on carbon emissions, it\u2019s really driving oil and gas companies to rethink their energy portfolios,\u201d Jason said during a recent Salesforce webinar, \u2018The Future of Canada\u2019s Industrial Sector is Net Zero<\/a>. \u201cIt’s not just their ESG or carbon footprint they’re worried about. It\u2019s also the product they sell. They’re pivoting to greener technologies. They’re evolving their business models.\u201d<\/p>\n

These optimistic signs couldn\u2019t come at a better time. If the world is going to manage a secure, successful energy transition, the role of the traditional energy companies \u2014 with all their expertise, resources and capabilities \u2014 is going to be critical. <\/p>\n

As Salesforce Vice-President of Sustainability Solutions Georges Smine pointed out, there is a tidal wave of sustainability and ESG demands that are bringing Net Zero to the forefront. This not only includes ever-evolving industry regulations, but increased pressure from shareholders who want to see more transparency and carbon accounting in ESG reporting. <\/p>\n

Perhaps as a result, Georges added, CFOs are also paying greater attention to sustainability as they begin to see a correlation between higher ESG ratings and improved financial performance. This in turn leads to the third area of pressure: consumers. With more choice than ever, Georges pointed out that consumers are actively looking to companies that produce goods based on a green manufacturing approach. <\/p>\n

Put all these factors together, and it\u2019s no wonder sustainability is becoming a top business priority for the sector. Business leaders are also realizing the magnitude of the task before them. <\/p>\n

\u201cIn order to limit global warming, we need to cut emissions by half by 2030, and that\u2019s more than 100 gigatons of CO2 or equivalent,\u201d Georges said.<\/p>\n

The real goal, however, should be net zero, which refers to completely negating the amount of greenhouse gas produced from human activity, including what happens in manufacturing and oil and gas companies. <\/p>\n

Without reporting on their progress towards net zero, Georges said heavy industry risks greater challenges in raising capital, keeping customers, protecting their brand reputation and wearing out already-overworked sustainability teams. <\/p>\n

How Industrial Sector Expertise is Transferable to Net Zero Initiatives <\/h2>\n

On the plus side, Jason noted that there are a number of similarities between traditional oil and gas assets and some newer renewables or alternative fuels. This includes: <\/p>\n