22 Apr Andrea Boddy – Keynote

Bio:

Andrea Boddy Consulting is a boutique advisory firm focused on supporting the Canadian concrete construction industry.

With 20+ years of commercial, operational, and technical leadership with one of North America’s largest building materials producers, Andrea brings a unique cross-section of knowledge and skills through her offerings in strategy, business planning, marketing, coaching/training, and business development.

Her strategy and thought leadership work with clients across Canada has honed her expertise and passion in key areas of both challenge and opportunity for the concrete construction industry. Key areas of focus include; Sustainability / Climate Change, Skilled – Engaged – Diverse Work Force, Entrepreneurship & Execution.

In addition to her own consulting practice, Andrea is a senior business advisor for Bridge Check Canada, a published author for both industry-research and -interest journals, and past participating industry board member at several associations.    Andrea holds a MASc from the University of Toronto and an EMBA from Queen’s University.

Abstract:

We are living in a world challenged with Climate Change. In his recently released “How to Avoid A Climate Disaster”, Bill Gates states that to survive in this climate-changing world: We need to transform the way we do almost everything.

And the hard fact is:  those of us whose passion is masonry construction can’t hide from that. Activists, scientists and leaders around the world have agreed on a mutual goal to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius, compared to pre-industrial levels. To achieve this long-term temperature goal, countries aim to reach global peaking of greenhouse gas emissions as soon as possible to achieve a climate neutral world by mid-century.

And whether you focus on the statistics of Buildings or Cement as a major emitting segment – one thing is glaringly clear:

As researchers, designers, suppliers, and constructors to the built-environment – we have a responsibility to research, innovate, commercialize and build in a low carbon, low energy, climate-resilient way. And if the moral appeal doesn’t land with us – the demand for earth-friendly construction of buildings will. If we don’t grow and adapt, obsolescence is reality.  Demand from the construction customer base is accelerating exponentially towards choosing proven and transparent climate-friendly solutions.

Together in this session we will start with where we’re at today – the climate ambitions, the commitment to transparent systems, the market demand, the natural advantages & challenges for masonry construction and status for competing materials.

Then – we will face realities together. We will discuss options and ideas for adaptations we truly need to make to research, innovate, commercialize and build with masonry in this real “the only sensible goal is zero” world.