Experience Exchange Energy Transition and Smart City

Prof. Dr. Manfred Fischedick, Vice-President of the Wuppertal Institute, visited Canada for a lecture and research trip on the topic of "Experience Exchange Energy Transition and Smart City". The journey takes place from 19 to 23 February 2018 in Canada. It contains various lectures in Vancouver, Victoria and Edmonton. In this context Professor Fischedick meets several representatives of the Canadian parliament and different ministries as well as professors from different universities. In addition, he will attend conferences and will take part in workshops and panel discussions. Topics of the lecture tour include, among others, cross-sector decarbonisation (short-, mid-, and long-term), decarbonisation of electricity and energy sectors as well as sustainable economic development and innovation.

The lecture tour began with a visit to the science-based environmental non-Ggovernmental organisation "David Suzuki Foundation" in Vancouver. This was followed by briefings with the local energy-provider BC Hydro, the Climate Solutions and Clean Growth Advisory Council, and an air quality planning office in British Columbia. Finally, a discussion with professors from different universities in BC took place.
On the second day, Professor Fischedick met with Matt Horne, the climate policy manager of the city of Vancouver, attended a plenary meeting of the energy-provider BC Hydro and met the Vancouver Economic Commission.
On Wednesday, 21 February 2018, Manfred Fischedick spoke in Edmonton with representatives of various ministries, among others the ministry of infrastructure, environment and energy. Topics were in particular cross-sector decarbonisation, sustainable economic development, and innovations.

The highlight and the focus of his lecture tour takes place on Thursday, 22 February 2018: On this day, Professor Fischedick will meet representatives of the British Columbian parliament and attend a plenary session about topics like energy, mining, petroleum resources, as well as environmental strategy. The focus of the presentations lies on cross-sector coupling and coordination to achieve decarbonisation.
In the afternoon, conversations about environmental strategy, energy efficiency, decarbonisation of the industrial production (cement, pulp, etc.), the global role of natural gas, transportation (fuels, vehicles), economic development, innovation, as well as technological transformation take place. In the evening, Manfred Fischedick explanis during the event "Climate Leadership: Planning for a 100% Renerwable City" how German cities plan to achieve and implement an energy transformation from 100 per cent renewable energies.

On the last day, Manfred Fischedick has an appointment with the Canadian climate researcher and professor of the University of Victoria, Dr. Andrew John Weaver.
The entire lecture and research trip "Experience Exchange Energy Transition and Smart City" is implemented under the coordination of the University of Calgary and supervised by the German embassy.