Since its inception in 2019, RBC Tech for Nature has brought together more than 125 organizations to protect the world’s most precious resource – our natural ecosystem – through tech-based community investments totaling over $27 million. In celebration of global Earth Day 2021, we’re delighted to announce our 2021 roster of partnerships, made up of 100 community organizations located around the world.
With the impacts of climate change permeating all communities and sectors of the economy, there has never been greater opportunity for leadership, collaboration, ingenuity, and vision to achieve the transition to a net zero economy. Rooted in the belief that the innovative use of data and technology can fundamentally transform and improve the world we live in, RBC Tech for Nature advances the new ideas, technologies, and partnerships required to solve pressing environmental challenges.
“As a society, we need to chart out our shared path towards a smart transition. That is why developing a diverse network of partnerships has never been more important,” said Valerie Chort, Vice-President, Corporate Citizenship & Sustainability, RBC. “With our continued investment in RBC Tech for Nature, we are harnessing the power and ambition of environmental science, innovation, and community to co-create solutions and build the sustainable, inclusive future we all want to see.”
Bringing together community partners, technology experts, the public and private sectors – and RBC’s own capabilities and convening power – RBC Tech for Nature is building the multi-partner coalitions needed to protect the environment. At RBC Capital Markets, our 2021 RBC Tech for Nature partners include:
In Canada:
- The Nature Conservancy of Canada – Better Decisions with Bigger Data: The Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) is Canada’s leading not-for-profit, private nature conservation organization working to protect our most important natural areas and the plants and animals they sustain. Since 1962, NCC and its partners have helped to protect 14 million hectares (35 million acres), coast to coast. By investing in conservation we are ensuring that our natural world remains a home for wildlife, a haven for recreation and a vital resource that cleans the air we breathe and the water we drink. Modern conservation requires a transformational change to access and share big data and to make better decisions with greater speed and accuracy, otherwise known as precision conservation. This project mobilizes and empowers NCC and land trusts to achieve more, better and faster conservation, in order to help meet Canada’s international commitments to conservation, restoration and climate change.
Other organisations supported include Swim, Drink, Fish Canada, Nature Conservancy of Canada and Lake Simcoe Conservation Fund.
In the US:
- The Trust for Public Land (TPL): Since 1972, The Trust for Public Land (TPL) has been among America’s leading environmental organizations in creating natural recreational spaces and protecting the land for the people. RBC Tech for Nature is supporting two innovative projects that the Trust for Public Land has launched in partnership with American Forests, the Land Trust Alliance, and the Urban Sustainability Directors Network. These projects leverage the latest data, science, and technology to drive community action for natural climate solutions. The Conservation Carbon Map and the Urban Drawdown Initiative will identify where and how strategic conservation, urban greening, and carbon management efforts can capture and store carbon, preserve ecosystems, and improve climate resiliency in cities and natural environments across the United States.
Other organisations supported include The Nature Conservancy of New York, One Tree Planted, The Wildlife Conservation Society, GRID Alternatives, The Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies and Raritan Headwaters Association.
In Europe:
- WWF-UK – Walrus from Space: WWF-UK is the UK arm of the world’s leading organization for wildlife conservation. RBC Tech for Nature is supporting research focused on better understanding walrus populations and how they might be impacted by the climate crisis. Through use of high-resolution satellite imagery and the engagement of 500,000+ citizen scientists over the next 4 years, significant research will be produced to help illustrate the challenges facing this animal that is culturally significant for Arctic people.
RBC Tech for Nature is a core pillar of RBC’s Climate Blueprint – an enterprise strategy to accelerate clean economic growth and support our clients in a socially inclusive transition to net-zero. To learn more about RBC Tech for Nature or view the complete partner roster, visit RBC.com/techfornature.