4 minutes with… Ian Thomson, President, Western Canada Biodiesel Association

Tell us about your company and it’s role in the Advanced Bioeconomy.

Our name’s too narrow – we’ve had a key role in the renewable fuels regulations and policies (incl. production support) across Canada, and also play well outside the ‘biodiesel’ arena. We’ve lead the low-carbon fuels advocacy in British Columbia as the Pacific Coast states and BC take on clean fuel standards. We’re also very engaged in 2G.

Tell us about your role and what you are focused on in the next 12 months.

The Pacific Coast low carbon fuel standards are world-leading and are a great testbed for other jurisdictions looking to realize significant emissions reductions in transportation. We’re working colleagues in WA and OR to get clean fuels standards there.

We’re also looking to get renewable content up in Canadian provinces and federally. Most RFS regulations in Canada require 2%. That 1/50th, which we believe cannot possibly be what governments, what society, wants to see as a stopping point. Renewable fuels have a lot of upside in Canada.

What do you feel are the most important milestones the industry must achieve in the next 5 years?  

*Viable buildout of the cellulosic ethanol – deliver the promise.

*Commercialization of non-crop lipids.

*Address the tilted playing field on subsidies and inappropriate clauses in regulations – such as assigning indirect land use change on biofuels but not counting indirect effects on fossil fuels.

If you could snap your fingers and change one thing about the Advanced Bioeconomy, what would you change? 

Misinformation from the fossil sector.

Ignorance about climate change.

Of all the reasons that influenced you to join the Advanced Bioeconomy industry, what single reason stands out for you as still being compelling and important to you?  

Working on something worthwhile, something bigger.

Where are you from? 

Toronto, ONT.

What was your undergraduate major in college, and where did you attend? Why did you choose that school and that pathway?

Business.