❌

Normal view

There are new articles available, click to refresh the page.
Before yesterdayMain stream

Lion Electric Reaches Definitive Agreement in Respect of the Sale of Innovation Center Located in Mirabel, Quebec

By: STN
5 December 2024 at 23:35

MONTREAL β€” The Lion Electric Company (NYSE: LEV) (TSX: LEV) (β€œLion” or the β€œCompany”), a leading manufacturer of all-electric medium and heavy-duty urban vehicles, announced today that it has reached a definitive agreement with AΓ©roport de Montreal to sell its innovation center facility located in Mirabel, QuΓ©bec, for a purchase price of C$50,000,000, subject to customary purchase price adjustments and closing conditions.

All of the net proceeds from the transaction are intended to be used towards the partial repayment of the Company’s senior secured non-convertible debentures issued in July 2023, holders of which currently benefit from a first ranking hypothec over the immovable/real rights related to the innovation center facility. As a result, while the transaction is expected to reduce the Company’s long-term indebtedness, it will not impact the Company’s short term liquidity and cash position.

Closing of the transaction is expected to occur before the end of 2024, subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions.

About Lion Electric

Lion Electric is an innovative manufacturer of zero-emission vehicles, including all electric school buses. Lion is a North American leader in electric transportation and designs, builds and assembles many of its vehicles’ components, including chassis, battery packs, truck cabins and bus bodies.

Always actively seeking new and reliable technologies, Lion vehicles have unique features that are specifically adapted to its users and their everyday needs. Lion believes that transitioning to all-electric vehicles will lead to major improvements in our society, environment and overall quality of life.

The post Lion Electric Reaches Definitive Agreement in Respect of the Sale of Innovation Center Located in Mirabel, Quebec appeared first on School Transportation News.

Rethinking Trade for Sustainable Agriculture in a Changing World

5 December 2024 at 22:08

In the Perspectives guest blog series, Farm Foundation invites participants from among the varied Farm Foundation programs to share their unique viewpoint on a topic relevant to a Farm Foundation focus area. Dr. Sandro Steinbach, the 2024 Farm Foundation Agricultural Economics Fellow, and Claire Citeau, a distinguished fellow at the Canadian Agri-Food Policy Institute, contributed this guest blog. In July 2024, they attended theΒ Global Forum on Farm Policy & Innovationβ€˜s second workshop, held in Washington D.C. on the topic of measuring sustainability outcomes to facilitate agricultural trade. An in-depth paper summarizing the event’s key takeaways and next steps is also now available.


As climate pressures increase and sustainable practices become a priority, the agricultural sector faces a unique challenge: balancing trade policies with the need for sustainable farming. In July 2024, global experts gathered at the Global Forum for Farm Policy & Innovation (GFFPI) workshop in Washington, D.C., to tackle these pressing questions. Here, we highlight key takeaways from the workshop on aligning global trade with sustainable agriculture.

Why Integrating Sustainability into Trade Matters

Global agriculture is at a crossroads as countries strive to boost productivity and meet sustainability goals without causing unintended trade disruptions. Trade plays a vital role in food security, yet poorly coordinated policies can lead to barriers, especially as more nations adopt individual sustainability measures. To keep the agricultural sector competitive and resilient, there’s a growing need for a unified framework to guide trade and sustainability.

The Challenges of Harmonizing Trade with Sustainable Agriculture

Sustainable agriculture protects natural resources, maintains profitability, and supports community well-being. While the concept is widely understood, applying it consistently across countries and trade agreements takes time and effort. The workshop underscored that each country faces unique hurdles in integrating sustainable practices. For example, while some regions prioritize carbon reduction, others focus on reducing food insecurity or supporting local farmers. As a result, a β€œone-size-fits-all” approach to sustainable trade isn’t feasible.

What Role Can Trade Agreements Play?

Trade agreements hold the potential to foster sustainability, but they must be crafted carefully. Adding sustainability chapters focused on environmental and labor standards can help, as can voluntary incentive-based programs that encourage best practices without restricting farmers’ flexibility. Workshop participants agreed that trade policy can be a powerful tool, but only if it promotes shared goals while respecting local contexts.

Adopting an Outcome-Based Approach to Measure Sustainability

One key takeaway from the workshop was shifting from traditional, input-based sustainability measures (such as mandating specific farming practices) to outcome-based approaches. This shift allows farmers to adapt and innovate while focusing on measurable results like soil health, carbon sequestration, and biodiversity. Though more complex, outcome-based metrics can yield more meaningful insights and foster an environment where sustainable practices are both encouraged and achievable.

The Importance of Global Standards and Local Flexibility

Global standards are essential for assessing sustainability fairly across different countries. However, rigid frameworks may overlook local realities, particularly for smallholder farmers who face unique challenges. Workshop discussions emphasized the importance of balancing global standards and local flexibility to ensure sustainability goals are relevant and achievable worldwide. This balance is critical for creating trade policies that don’t stifle innovation or penalize farmers in resource-limited regions.

Supporting Sustainable Innovation in Agriculture

International trade enables innovation by allowing the transfer of knowledge, technology, and best practices. Golden Rice, an innovation born of global collaboration to address vitamin A deficiency, was one example discussed at the workshop. Cross-border cooperation accelerates such breakthroughs, underscoring the need for open markets that allow agricultural innovations to reach areas most needed.

Recommendations for Sustainable Trade

The workshop concluded with actionable steps for aligning trade and sustainability:

  1. Adopt Flexible, Science-Based Policies: Avoid rigid policies and instead focus on outcome-oriented, science-based standards that allow flexibility for farmers to adopt practices locally.
  2. Invest in Consistent Metrics and Data Management: Developing universally accepted metrics will make sustainability more transparent and achievable, especially with emerging technologies like remote sensing and real-time data tracking.
  3. Strengthen Global Cooperation: Collaborating with institutions like the WTO and FAO can help establish frameworks integrating trade with sustainability. Global collaboration is essential to create cohesive, effective standards.
  4. Position Sustainability as a Trade Opportunity: Rather than viewing sustainability as a trade barrier, policymakers should consider it a pathway to new markets and greater competitiveness.
  5. Involve Farmers in Policy Development: Policies should reflect the realities on the ground, including the needs and challenges of farmers. Ensuring farmers’ participation in policy discussions helps craft practical and impactful solutions.

The Path to a Sustainable Agricultural Future

As agriculture faces mounting challenges, aligning trade with sustainable practices is essential. With thoughtful policies and collaborative efforts, global trade can support a more sustainable and food-secure world. The insights from the GFFPI workshop provide a strong foundation for future discussions, reminding us that trade policies should empower, not hinder, the transition to sustainable agriculture. With aligned policies and a shared commitment, the agricultural sector can advance toward a more resilient, sustainable future.


Claire Citeau is a distinguished fellow at the Canadian Agri-Food Policy Institute. She is also a senior fellow at the Graduate School of Public and International Affairs at the University of Ottawa. Sandro Steinbach is an associate professor in the Department of Agribusiness and Applied Economics and the director of the Center for Agricultural Policy and Trade Studies at North Dakota State University. They can be reached at cciteau@uottawa.ca and sandro.steinbach@ndsu.edu, respectively.

The post Rethinking Trade for Sustainable Agriculture in a Changing World appeared first on Farm Foundation.

Postcard Perspectives from the Asia-Pacific Region

14 November 2024 at 13:00

Cleantech Group has been committed to global cleantech innovation, believing great solutions can come from anywhere and knowing that we need to achieve...

The post Postcard Perspectives from the Asia-Pacific Region appeared first on Cleantech Group.

8 Cleantech Companies to Watch from the Asia-Pacific Region

14 November 2024 at 13:00

Cleantech Group’s new quarterly β€˜Companies to Watch’ feature will shine a light on innovation in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region for our international audiences....

The post 8 Cleantech Companies to Watch from the Asia-Pacific Region appeared first on Cleantech Group.

❌
❌