Coquitlam is looking to partner with innovative problem-solvers to develop novel technology-based solutions to local environmental challenges.
COQUITLAM, B.C., May 9, 2022 – Coquitlam is looking to partner with innovative problem-solvers to develop novel technology-based solutions to local environmental challenges.
From May 9 to July 31, the City is issuing an open call for local technology companies that can offer creative approaches to help build a sustainable future. With a goal of collaborating towards a resilient, responsible Coquitlam, the City is specifically looking for solutions that can be implemented to support the new Environmental Sustainability Plan (ESP), with a focus on climate action, the built environment and green infrastructure, and water management.
Posted at www.coquitlam.ca/projectgreenlight, the open call comes through Coquitlam’s membership in Project Greenlight, a regional procurement platform that teams up public and private enterprises with tech companies in order to accelerate the use of sustainable tech-based, data-driven – or “smart” – approaches to service-delivery.
In Search of Sustainable and Smart Environmental Solutions
Entitled Sustainable Coquitlam, the open call through Project Greenlight is looking for new tech-based ideas for meeting the commitments of the new ESP, an overarching strategy that incorporates the City’s environmental goals and objectives and provides a framework to guide future decisions.
Among its targets, the ESP calls for Coquitlam to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 45 per cent by 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. The City is working toward these targets through its Climate Adaptation Strategic Plan – adopted in 2020 to reduce the impact of climate change on City services, infrastructure and the community – and development of a new Climate Action Plan in 2022.
Supporting this work, the open call hopes to engage the local business community and attract innovative ideas for how the City can reduce energy and emissions in its operations, increase the resiliency of its services, and address goals in the ESP related to:
- Climate action – including more electric or reduced-emission vehicles and buildings, and building smarter and greener transportation infrastructure;
- The built environment and green infrastructure – including managing rainwater runoff on impervious surfaces, creating smarter civic facilities and gathering park user data; and
- Water management – managing stormwater for flood protection and environmental protection, managing sewer inflow and infiltration (leaks), and maintaining healthy waterways.
Coquitlam is looking for functional, reliable and scalable solutions that have a defined implementation strategy and outcomes, and that directly relate to its ESP and climate action objectives. Selected proponents must demonstrate financial stability and be ready to deploy a pilot project.
Supporting the Technology Sector
Project Greenlight is funded by Pacific Economic Development Canada and hosted by the Vancouver Economic Commission with support from Foresight Canada.
Through the platform, members – which include TransLink, FortisBC and the cities of Vancouver and New Westminster – issue either a general “open call” on a broad topic or a “targeted call” for a well-defined issue. Small and medium-sized tech companies pitch their ideas and technologies, and members gain access to leading-edge solutions to solve long-standing challenges, reduce environmental impacts and maximize their assets.
The City’s involvement in Project Greenlight is a natural fit with its efforts both to grow its local tech sector and to leverage technology to improve service delivery and efficiency. In particular, the membership will support the 2019-2024 Coquitlam Technology Strategy, which envisions the City as a clean tech hub and lays out actions to attract more tech companies and their well-paid jobs.
Quotes
This is an exciting opportunity for Coquitlam to work with local companies to continue to solidify our future as a technology leader, building on a platform of shared prosperity.
- Andre Isakov, Manager Economic Development
City of Coquitlam
Coquitlam is committed to a resilient and responsible future, and our partnership with Project Greenlight enables us to tap into local expertise to make progress on the goals set out in our Environmental Sustainability Plan.
- Caresse Selk, Manager Environment
City of Coquitlam
We're thrilled to welcome City of Coquitlam as the newest member of Project Greenlight. In the year since our program launched, we have seen incredible proposals put forward by innovators from Metro Vancouver and around the world, with several currently in the pilot stage. I'm excited to see what the innovation community will come up with to help us promote a smarter and more sustainable Coquitlam.
- John McPherson, Program Manager
Project Greenlight
Learn More
Details about the City’s involvement in Project Greenlight can be found at www.coquitlam.ca/projectgreenlight, and information about the platform can be found at www.projectgreenlight.io.
About Project Greenlight:
Project Greenlight is a membership-based demonstration platform that supports public and private enterprises (members) by advancing their sustainability, smart, and digital goals. The platform is built around a challenge process that addresses members’ innovation needs and enables them to source, screen, and onboard solutions at a faster pace than would be possible under conventional procurement processes. By unlocking new opportunities for innovation, Project Greenlight aims to amplify the local startup ecosystem and accelerate smart and sustainable transformation across the region.
Media Contacts
Andre Isakov
Manager Economic Development
aisakov@coquitlam.ca
604-927-3442
Caresse Selk
Manager Environment
cselk@coquitlam.ca
604-927-3536