March 9, 2015  Editor's Choice The Economic Costs of Congestion in Metro Vancouver The C.D. Howe Institute has released an E-Brief that concludes the economic costs of congestion in Metro Vancouver - both the hidden and the visible costs - are huge. Reducing the hidden costs alone, notes the study, could generate economic benefits ranging from $500 million to $1.2 billion, far exceeding the cost of new taxes proposed in a Mayors' Council Transportation and Transit Plan. The Road to Paris - Poorest nations seek US-EU lead on climate deal Hopes that this year's UN climate talks will produce an effective global treaty to cut emissions may rest on richer countries setting far more ambitious targets. Cleantech in the Oil Patch - New Investments Announced Over $20 million for clean technology projects in Alberta designed to reduce emissions and improve efficiency in the oil patch have been announced. Banff launches first municipal solar feed-in-tariff in Canada Banff is now the first municipality in Canada to implement a feed-in tariff or what it's calling a solar PV production incentive. It is a simple, revolutionary piece of policy that ensures its residents and businesses get a fair rate of return for investing in clean energy production. Global Sustainable Investing pegged at US$21 Trillion The global sustainable investment market has grown substantially in both absolute and relative terms, according to The Global Sustainable Investment Review 2014, a report released by the Global Sustainable Investment Alliance. The Rise of Triple-Bottom-Line Businesses A remarkable new breed of business is volunteering to be held publicly or even legally accountable to a triple bottom line: prioritizing people and the planet, while also promoting profits. The Power of Water - Robert F. Kennedy, Jr The World Bank already values water privatization at $1 trillion and predicts that many of the wars of the 21st century will be fought over water. Waste-to-energy revolution boosted by biobattery idea New processes to turn waste products into renewable energy that can power cars, planes and turbines are rapidly being developed across the world. Will Corporate Social Responsibility Adapt or Die? Despite widespread adoption of CSR in business, little meaningful progress has been made across a range of metrics. Greenhouse gas emissions, for example, have grown twice as fast over the past decade as compared to the past 30 years. Reducing food waste could save the global economy $300 billion a year One third of all food produced in the world ends up as waste, while the value of global consumer food waste is more than US$400 billion per year. As the global middle class expands over the course of the decade, the cost could rise to US$600 billion.   $13 Billion overhaul needed for BC water and wastewater infrastructure Communities in BC will require at least $13 Billion of additional investment to replace existing water and wastewater systems, according to a report released by the BC Water & Waste Association. This does not include First Nation communities. UPCOMING EVENTS March 17-19, 2015 - Palais des congrès, Montreal Read More Canadian Water Summit 2015 June 25, 2015 Westin Bayshore Hotel Vancouver Read More Third Annual International LNG in BC Conference October 14-16, 2015 -Vancouver Convention Centre, Vancouver Read More GLOBE 2016 Conference & Exposition on Business and the Environment March 2 - 4, 2016 - Vancouver, BC  Read More GLOBE Communications | 1-800-274-6097 Ext. 707 | http://www.globe-net.com  404-999 Canada Place Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, V6C3E2 Check Out the New GLOBE-Net Website  <