Climate, Consequences, and the Bottom Line: Why Tech Can't Sit This One Out

Join us at Tech Thursday Superpowered by Manitoba Innovates, and co-hosted by BizforClimate, for a fireside chat on climate, business, and the growing role of technology in both the challenge and the solution.

BizforClimate has grown from a grassroots pledge campaign into a business voice on climate policy in Manitoba. Its Founder and CEO, Derek Earl, joins Paul Card, CEO of Manitoba Innovates, to discuss why climate leadership matters amid economic uncertainty, and what it means for a tech sector facing rising energy demand, emissions, and water use.

Together, they’ll explore how climate action can strengthen competitiveness, where tech and cleantech can contribute solutions, and how Manitoba businesses can build a united voice on issues such as financing, physical climate risk, and zero-emission infrastructure.

Key Takeaways:

• Climate action remains a competitive advantage, even amid trade uncertainty and economic headwinds, not a nice-to-have that gets cut in a downturn
• AI and data centres are quietly reshaping the climate calculus for tech: energy demand, emissions, and water use now matter even for small startups, not just hyperscalers
• Tech and cleantech are essential parts of the climate solutions mix, not bystanders to it
• How business-led coalitions like BizforClimate build real policy leverage: funding and financing, physical climate risk, zero-emission infrastructure
• What it looks like to build a credible, united business voice on climate, and how Manitoba's tech sector can plug in

Featuring:

• Derek Earl - Founder & CEO, BizforClimate
• Paul Card - CEO, Manitoba Innovates

Event Details:

Date: Thursday, November 19, 2026
Time: 4:30–6:30 p.m.
Venue: Saddlery on Market (114 Market Ave Winnipeg MB)

Come for a candid conversation and connect with others working at the intersection of business, technology, and climate.

See you there!