CTRL-ALT-DEL: Rebooting IT for a Sustainable Future
Information Technology has become a dominant force in most of our lives, ubiquitous in modern work, learning, leisure, and social interactions. This has come with major environmental impacts, from resource extraction through energy use, which have in turn triggered stronger pushes for effective management of technology to leverage its value and minimize or eliminate its social and ecological costs. In the theme of this year’s conference, this talk will set the stage by looking at the big picture of technology impacts, what is emerging in the pivot to sustainable IT and how that will transform the industry, and what it will mean for Waterloo.
About Mat Thijssen:
Mat Thijssen is the Director of sustainability, he champions the University of Waterloo's sustainability activities and efforts, in partnership with a broad range of stakeholders on and off campus. He has helped develop Waterloo's Environmental Sustainability Strategy, annual Environmental Sustainability Reports, and the Shift: Neutral climate action plan. He also provides support to the President's Advisory Committee on Environmental Sustainability, and collaborates with numerous teams and departments for project and program implementation related to operational sustainability, integration in academics, and awareness building and behaviour change. Prior to joining the University of Waterloo, Mat worked for three years with Sustainable Waterloo Region, a local environmental non-profit that helps convert organizational interest in sustainability into tangible action. Mat remains active in community networks related to sustainability, including: Chair of the Sustainability Advisory Committee for the City of Waterloo Member and former chair of the ClimateActionWR Transportation Sector Committee Member and former Director of Communications for the Ontario College and University Sustainability Professionals Member of the Inter Municipal Parntership for Active Transportation (IMPAcT) He has previously served on the Board of Directors for Community CarShare, and is an alumnus of the Kitchener-Waterloo Community Foundation's Engage!KW program.
The Circular Economy & IT
About Frances Edmonds
Frances Edmonds is the Head of Sustainable Impact at HP Canada, where she is responsible for business development and oversees Corporate Social Responsibility programs nationally. With a focus on sustainable procurement, Frances is driving meaningful change cross-sector that supports a more circular and sustainable economic future for Canada. With more than 30 years of experience, Frances is recognized as one of Canada’s top sustainability professionals having received two Clean 50 awards and has led HP to became the most sustainable technology company in Canada. Passionate about driving change through education, Frances has developed and implemented volunteer programs globally for HP. She sits on the board of Learning for a Sustainable Future and serves as a consultant for academic institutions on sustainability strategies. She also sits on the Sustainable Development Advisory Council for the Minister of Environment and Climate Change Canada as well as the Expert Panel on the Circular Economy in Canada as assembled by the Council of Canadian Academies. As seen on stages including TEDx, Frances is both a guest lecturer and speaker on a wide range of topics including the circular economy. With a degree in Environmental Science from Bradford University (UK) and a post-graduate diploma in Occupational Health and Safety, Frances is also a Canadian Registered Safety Professional (CRSP).