The ClimateSpark Launch Gala last night was an incredible demonstration of creativity in Toronto and the wider region directed towards one of the most challenging issues facing our society.  More than $500,000 dollars was up for grabs in a social venture challenge developed by the Toronto Atmospheric Fund, the Toronto Community Foundation, and the Centre for Social Innovation for initiatives that demonstrate a financially viable solution to reducing climate impact.

Of the ten finalists at ClimateSpark, three were renewable energy co-operatives that are in various stages of development: Solarshare, Options for Green Energy, and Zooshare.  These co-operatives are developing a community bond model of investment that allows all Ontarians to participate in the low carbon energy revolution and generate financial returns in so doing.  Solarshare, an initiative of the Toronto Renewable Energy Co-operative (TREC) is the most advanced of the three initiatives with a portfolio of solar projects in operation that are generating revenues through feed-in tariff contracts from the Ontario Power Authority. However, the big winner of the night was Zooshare which is developing a 500kW biogas plant on the grounds of the Toronto Zoo to turn manure and food waste from local grocery stores into electricity and heat.  It received a $250,000 loan from the Toronto Atmospheric Fund and a $40,000 grant from the Toronto Community Foundation to help begin construction of its “Zoopoo” facility.

Other winning initiatives of the evening included Shuttle – a public engagement program developed by Summerhill impact that encourages people to drive less – and Young Urban Farmers, a company that helps urban dwellers turn their backyards into mini-farms and increase the amount of locally produced food available in the City.

These initiatives are just the sort of bottom-up entrepreneurial activity that we need in order to meet the climate challenge.  But perhaps just as importantly we need action from government to create the conditions for such initiatives to thrive.  Currently the Ontario government seems to be distancing itself from a commitment to tackle climate change made in 2007 as I have noted over the years in my Greenhouse Gas Progress reports.  Financial constraints notwithstanding, climate action will require innovative policy across provincial government ministries.  Yesterday’s ClimateSpark event provided a great example to learn from.