Skip Navigation
Play Video

Taking Collective Action to Combat Climate Change

Listen
Share
LinkedInFacebookTwitter

Episode Summary

In this episode of Behind the Growth, host Imran Mian engages with Vince Gasparro, a leading figure in sustainable finance, to dissect the intertwining worlds of the financial industry, government, and environmental sustainability. The conversation opens with Vince’s professional journey, highlighting his influential roles and deep-rooted commitment to climate action.

As the dialogue delves deeper, Vince shares insights on the urgent climate crisis, emphasizing the power of collective action. He underscores the vital role of innovation and public-private partnerships in combating environmental challenges, pointing to his own experiences and global conferences like COP26 and COP27 as evidence of progress and opportunity.

The episode wraps up with practical advice for businesses navigating the shift to sustainability, focusing on energy-efficient practices and investments. Vince’s optimism and expertise shine through, offering listeners a blend of strategic foresight and actionable steps toward a more sustainable future.

Featured Guest

  • Name: Vince Gasparro
  • What he does: Former Managing Director and Head of Sustainable Finance
  • Company: Scotiabank, Roynat Capital
  • Noteworthy: Vince Gasparro, former Head of Sustainable Finance at Scotiabank, Roynat Capital, is a respected innovator with 20 years of leadership in finance and government. He’s known for orchestrating Canada’s largest clean energy deal and has served in key government roles. A published thought leader, Vince regularly contributes to global climate change discussions.

Connect on Linkedin

Key Insights

The Vital Role of Public-Private Partnerships
Vince Gasparro discusses the necessity of collaboration between government, business, the not-for-profit sector, and academia to address the world’s significant challenges, especially the climate crisis. He emphasizes that no single entity can tackle these issues alone. Drawing from his experiences working closely with government and in finance, Gasparro shares examples of how combined efforts can lead to innovative solutions and meaningful progress in sustainable finance and climate initiatives.

Urgency of Global Collective Action
The podcast dives into the critical need for global collective action to combat climate change, with Gasparro highlighting the interconnectedness of environmental issues. He discusses the implications of rising greenhouse gas emissions and the cascading effects on ecosystems, food systems, and human life. By citing his involvement in international efforts like the COP26 and COP27, he stresses the importance of international cooperation and the role of each stakeholder in contributing to a larger, cohesive strategy against climate change.

Empathy in Transitioning Economies
An interesting takeaway from the conversation is Gasparro’s call for empathy towards workers in traditional energy sectors as the world shifts to renewable energy. He underscores the challenges of moving away from fossil fuels and the societal impacts of such a transition. This insight provides a nuanced view of the economic and social considerations that must be accounted for in sustainable policies and initiatives, suggesting a balanced approach that supports workers while advancing toward green alternatives.

A lot of problems we face move more quickly now than ever before. And one government can't do it on its own.

Episode Highlights

Understanding Climate Change

Vince Gasparro provides a foundational understanding of climate change, explaining the criticality of rising greenhouse gas emissions and their global impacts, including extreme weather events, biodiversity loss, and threats to human life. He emphasizes the necessity of collective action due to the transboundary nature of environmental challenges.

“Climate change is, in its simplest form, the increase of greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere which warm the planet and by warming the planet beyond a critical point […] will have catastrophic impact on our ecosystems.”

Transitioning to Renewable Energy

The conversation shifts to the transition towards renewable energy sources as a pivotal solution to climate change. Gasparro discusses the challenges and opportunities within the energy sector, highlighting the significant shift in investment trends from traditional fossil fuels to renewable projects and the broader market adaptation.

“Talk to any investment banker for example and ask them how easy is it to raise equity in capital for a new oil and gas field? It is incredibly difficult […] but raise equity or capital for a solar wind project or geothermal project it’s become much easier.”

Role of Innovation in Climate Solutions

Vince delves into the crucial role of innovation in solving the climate crisis, discussing various technologies including climate tech, carbon capture, and battery storage. He argues for a multi-pronged approach to tackling climate change, accommodating various energy solutions to meet the diverse needs of a global population.

“Climate tech is an incredibly important piece for what we’re trying to achieve. The IMF has specifically said that climate tech will play a significant role in what we’re doing, and you’re seeing, for example, greater yields out of solar panels.”

Empathy in Economic Transition

A significant part of the discussion is dedicated to the socioeconomic aspects of transitioning to a green economy. Gasparro stresses the importance of empathy for workers in traditional energy sectors, advocating for a thoughtful and inclusive approach to shifting industries that supports communities and individuals.

“This isn’t an attack on those who work in the oil and gas industry […] we need to show a little bit of empathy for folks who work and have made a living. I’m really talking about the workers here for a moment, who, you know, are just trying to provide for their family and have a good quality of life. So, we need to show some empathy for them.”

Get new Behind the Growth episodes — right in your inbox

By submitting this information, you agree to receive episode updates from the Behind the Growth podcast. We take your privacy seriously, keep the information you share confidential, and never send any unwanted emails. Check out our privacy policy to learn how we use your details.

Thank You!

We have sent you a confirmation email.
Please check your inbox.

More Episodes

chatsimple