RBC will bring together charitable
organizations and technology experts to build multi-partner
coalitions to address and help solve our shared environmental
challenges
TORONTO, Nov. 26, 2019 /CNW/ - RBC today announced the
launch of RBC Tech for Nature – a multi-year commitment by the RBC
Foundation to new ideas, technologies and partnerships focused on
protecting our shared future.
Data and technology have the power to transform and improve the
world we live in. Using a more than money approach, RBC will bring
together charitable partners, technology experts, the public and
private sector, as well as our own unique capabilities to build the
type of multi-partner coalitions needed to address and work toward
solving our shared environmental challenges.
"There has never been a greater need for extraordinary solutions
or the opportunity for leadership, collaboration, ingenuity and
vision as it relates to the environment," said Valerie Chort, Vice-President, Corporate
Citizenship, RBC. "We see immense potential for technology to
accelerate and scale solutions to the most pressing environmental
challenges. We are investing in technology-based programs and
initiatives with our charitable partners to address these issues
that are facing us globally."
The RBC Tech for Nature strategy aligns with the United Nations
Sustainable Development Goals and we're both proud and inspired to
partner with more than 115 organizations globally to tackle the
important issues outlined in these goals.
RBC's funding will support projects ranging from the
availability and accuracy of environmental data to influencing
positive behavior change as it relates to environmental
conservation, resulting in tangible outcomes for our
communities.
RBC Tech for Nature brings to life the fifth pillar of RBC's
Climate Blueprint, our enterprise approach to accelerating clean
economic growth and supporting clients in the transition to a
low-carbon, sustainable economy.
To apply for funding before February
2020, visit: RBC Tech for Nature. RBC's new grant recipients
will be announced on Earth Day 2020.
Partner Quotes:
"We are so proud to have had the support of the RBC
Foundation as we scale the AquaHacking Challenge across
Canada. Engaging the next
generation of Canadian tech and entrepreneurial talent to develop
innovative solutions for some of our most critical freshwater
issues has motivated us since 2015. With the RBC Foundation as our
partner we are able to achieve this important vision
together."
- Nan
Bowles (Nan-b) de Gaspé Beaubien, co-chair of Aqua Forum and
the de Gaspé Beaubien Foundation
"Climate change is a major global humanitarian issue that is
already impacting people in Canada
and around the world with more frequent and severe weather events,
natural disasters, and other emergencies. Through the support of
RBC Foundation, the Canadian Red Cross is working to identify and
support communities across the country vulnerable to floods and
fires, both in preparing them for natural disasters and in
enhancing the efforts of our disaster response
teams."
- Conrad Sauvé, President and CEO, Canadian
Red Cross
"The Centre for Social Innovation has been supporting social
innovation for over fifteen years and now, thanks to RBC
Foundation's support of our affiliate partner, Social Innovation
Institute, we're able to level up our acceleration of cleantech
ventures with programs like Earth Tech. It's incredible to see one
of Canada's leading financial
institutions take this big step with Tech for Nature to further
solutions that put people and planet first."
-
Tonya Surman, CEO, Centre for
Social Innovation
"We are excited to be working with the RBC Foundation. With
the Foundation's support, we have launched our Energy.AI Series – a
new stream of work that explores the intersection of advanced
technologies with climate and environmental solutions within the
energy and power sectors. We are proud of this partnership that
will help us build the energy system that the future requires of
us."
- Alison
Cretney, managing director for the Energy Futures
Lab
"RBC's support for emerging technologies has been a game
changer in the water community. Leveraging blockchain technology,
DataStream now provides an unmatched level of integrity and
transparency. We look forward to rolling this technology out with
Regional Partners like the Lake Winnipeg
Foundation".
- Sherry
Campbell, President and CEO, The Gordon Foundation
"To tackle the ever-growing list of challenges threatening
our freshwater supplies, we need to be inspired by the
technological advances of other sectors, including those of the
financial sector. That is why the world's freshwater laboratory is
so thrilled to be receiving critical support from RBC Foundation's
new Tech for Nature program, so we can apply financial technology
solutions to environmental data to make more informed and effective
solutions to protect our fresh water."
-
Matthew McCandless, Executive
Director, IISD Experimental Lakes Area
"The Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) works to accelerate the pace of
conserving our most important lands and waters. Nature conservation
is essential as we face the dual impacts of climate change and
habitat loss, which threaten our wildlife and our wellbeing," said
John Lounds, president and CEO,
Nature Conservancy of Canada. "We
are grateful for the support of RBC. Through the Tech for Nature
program we will implement technology to access and share data that
will help us make conservation decisions with greater speed and
accuracy."
- John
Lounds, President and CEO, Nature Conservancy of
Canada
The Rideau Hall Foundation is proud and excited to partner
with RBC Foundation in support of the Arctic Inspiration Prize
(AIP). RBC Foundation's commitment will help bring to life
exceptional "by the North, for the North" AIP winning projects that
will have lasting impacts in communities from Yukon to Nunatsiavut. Additionally, through
the RBC North Star Accelerator program, the RHF looks forward to
enhancing the flow of resources, expertise and relationships to
benefit and further advance existing Northern projects for the
benefit of Northerners and for all of Canada, while accelerating the initiatives of
future Arctic Inspiration Prize (AIP) Laureates.
-
Teresa Marques, President &
CEO, Rideau Hall Foundation
"Thanks to RBC's support, Swim Drink Fish is helping
4-million people discover and safeguard their local waters.
Platforms like our Swim Guide and Great Lakes Guide tell you where
to go to connect with water, what to do when you get there, and how
you can help protect the waters you love. These tools empower a
growing movement of swimmers, paddlers, surfers, and nature
lovers."
- Mark
Mattson, Swim Drink Fish President & Waterkeeper
About RBC
Royal Bank of Canada is a global financial institution with
a purpose-driven, principles-led approach to delivering leading
performance. Our success comes from the 86,000+ employees who bring
our vision, values and strategy to life so we can help our clients
thrive and communities prosper. As Canada's biggest bank, and one of the largest
in the world based on market capitalization, we have a diversified
business model with a focus on innovation and providing exceptional
experiences to more than 16 million clients in Canada, the U.S. and 34 other countries. Learn
more at rbc.com.
We are proud to support a broad range of community initiatives
through donations, community investments and employee volunteer
activities. See how at rbc.com/community-sustainability.
SOURCE RBC