Dr. Phil De Luna’s Background: A highly cited researcher and sustainability advocate, Dr. De Luna has contributed to the fields of CO₂ conversion and materials science, gaining recognition for his work on climate and energy solutions.Five-Step Net Zero Plan: His plan includes:Protecting natural resources to preserve carbon sinks like forests.Expanding renewables as they become more cost-effective than fossil fuels.Electrifying infrastructure such as homes, industry, and transportation.Addressing hard-to-abate sectors like cement, steel, and fertilizers.Capturing and storing CO₂ from the atmosphere to manage residual emissions.Canada’s Energy Landscape: With 82% of electricity from non-carbon sources, Canada must decarbonize its grid's remaining fossil fuel share and reduce emissions in transportation, heavy industry, and building sectors.Systems-Level Approach: De Luna highlights that individual actions alone are insufficient, advocating for systemic changes across corporate and governmental policies to drive impactful emissions reductions.Role of Government in Sustainability: Governments should provide stability and support in research and development, using incentives, policies, and guarantees to foster private investment and facilitate the adoption of new technologies.

Importance of Collective Action: Systemic and organizational efforts, not just individual choices, are critical for meaningful carbon reductions. Large-scale industries and sectors with high emissions have a significant role in this transition.Incentives for Adoption: Although incentives like subsidies can help with initial costs, long-term savings often make sustainable choices economically viable even without them. The challenge is overcoming the initial sticker shock of green investments.Need for Stability in Policy: Policy consistency enables businesses to plan confidently and invest in sustainable technologies without fear of sudden regulatory changes that could undermine long-term goals.Public-Private Collaboration: By coordinating with industry and facilitating research and technology development, governments can act as enablers rather than sole implementers in the sustainability transition.Canada’s Scale-Up Challenge: De Luna notes Canada’s risk-averse culture and conservative approach as barriers to scaling sustainable innovations domestically, often leading to these technologies being scaled elsewhere.