Round table “Role of engineering in the development of a green economy”

According to the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) [1], the green economy refers to “an economy that leads to improved human well-being and social equity while significantly reducing environmental and shortage of resources. However, engineering is located at the interface between research and the application of discoveries and can thus have a significant impact on society. This position gives engineering a special situation in the innovation ecosystem. This round table aims to discuss the contribution of engineering to the implementation of a green economy. In particular, we will discuss the importance of academic-industry collaborations as well as the difficulties linked to the integration of sustainable development in R&D.

Composition of the round table

Panelists

• David Gendron (Kemitek)
• Véronic Landry (department of wood and forest sciences, Laval University)
• Diego Mantovani (department of mining, metallurgy and materials engineering, Laval University)
• Luca Sorelli (department of civil engineering and water engineering)

Moderator :

• Jacopo Profili (department of mining, metallurgy and materials engineering, Laval University)

After a short presentation by each panelist of their vision of a green economy and the challenges this represents, a discussion was held between the panelists. The public was invited to ask questions.

[1] Driving a green economy through public finance and fiscal policy reform, United Nations Environment Program (2010)