Canada needs to move quickly to capitalize on linkage of biotechnology to sustainable development - CBAC report

A unique report examining the potential of linking biotechnology and sustainable development concludes that Canada must quickly position itself for a confluence of the two fields. Failure to act will risk squandering natural advantages that could help to vault the nation into a leadership position. It calls on the government to encourage the development of bioproducts and advanced biorefineries in concert with industry and the provinces, stimulating a thriving bioeconomy that will assist Canada in meeting its sustainable development objectives.

Entitled BioPromise: Biotechnology, Sustainable Development and Canada's Future Economy (BSDE), the report is reportedly the first in the world to explicitly link the future of biotechnology to sustainable development. It foresees a world in 2020 in which Canada is home to flourishing rural economies, producing much of the nation's fuel, chemical and synthetic product requirements from renewable biomass resources. Such a conversion in Canada's industrial focus and output could lead to major reductions in harmful chemicals and transform the kinds of products Canada produces for domestic and global consumption.

The report was produced by the BDSE Expert Working Party reporting to the Canadian Biotechnology Advisory Committee (CBAC). The group was led by Dr Arthur Hanson, former president and CEO of the International Institute for Sustainable Development, a member of both CBAC and the Canada Foundation for Innovation and former Oceans Ambassador for Canada.

"We're on the edge of a revolution towards the biologically-based aspects of the bio-economy, but revolutions can be stopped or slowed down if people are too cautious," says Hanson. "We need an emphasis on advanced technologies, especially second-generation technologies like ethanol where we have a technological lead through companies like Iogen. We can capitalize on this advantage."

Hanson notes that pulp and paper mills are already geared to produce food quality alcohol that can be transformed into products like vinegar. There are significant opportunities to invest in and develop a broader array of products. Canada's western forests are currently being devastated by the pine bark beetle, creating huge volumes of dead wood that can be harvested and processed. With the pulp and paper industry currently in flux, the timing is opportune to refocus on new products and new markets.

The report says the federal government should ensure that R&D funding policy and tax structure are linked to positive sustainable development outcomes, but cautions that any direct government intervention is temporary and must be monitored carefully.

"We need to get biorefineries up and running and attract private capital. Public-private investment is needed but we have to stay away from long-term subsidies. They should be time-limited," he says. "We don't feel that the subsidy practices being used in the US are what we should be following. Their support mechanisms are too generous ... The problem is, they're hard to remove. The government is trying to make a start in this area but they must be time-limited and linked to sustainable development outcomes."

Hanson says that public support must be assessed from a sustainable development perspective throughout the innovation pro-cess, from R&D to prototype and beyond.

"We need to work to build trust with people, give them a sense of choice through a deliberative dialogue, especially with young people."

Another key recommendation (#7) is the establishment of a strong academic research base for BSDE connected to international research sources. If one or more university centres were established, funding could be directed through the relevant research agencies for domestic needs.

The report also recommends building policy and capacity at the Canadian International Development Agency, helping to meet Canada's commitment to UN Millennium Development Goals.

Hanson says that Canada needs to take an adaptive approach to the issue of BSDE, recognizing the role of values-driven decision making, a strong governance system and new metrics to monitor progress. In the days ahead, Hanson and others will discuss the report with senior government officials before moving to the political level.

"This is phase one. There's a need for an unpacking of ideas. Agriculture, biofuels, forestry all need follow-up," he says. "Something has to be done by government so we got this report out quickly. It's a fast-changing field."

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