Meet the volunteers mapping Quebec’s responsible tech industry

What do an adult education centre, an electronics recycling facility, and a democratic participation charity have in common?

According to a group of volunteers, they are among a growing number of Quebecois organizations leading the way in the responsible adoption and application of technology. 

Launched in 2024, Le Collectif Numérique Responsable et Soutenable (Le Collectif NRS) is comprised of individuals “who are trying to create or accelerate change in Quebec society, to put digital and tech in service of people and the planet,” said François Burra, a digital decarbonization consultant and co-founder of the collective.  

One of the collective’s initiatives is a map of Quebec’s responsible technology ecosystem, which so far includes both for-profit and non-profit organizations. 

“The tech or digital industry is responsible for 3.4 per cent of all emissions worldwide, which is twice the amount of the aviation industry,” Burra said. “So it’s big, and it’s only going to get bigger with AI, crypto and blockchain. 

“And we’re the only industry that doesn’t have a decarbonization plan,” he added. 

“When you think about buildings, agriculture and energy, all of those industries have a plan to reduce their emissions. Our industry is the only one that is accelerating without any constraints.”

Burra and the volunteer group have pre-determined criteria across four pillars for assessing whether a company or organization qualifies as one that uses technology responsibly and sustainably. 

The first is environmental, which could include using technology to impact the climate positively, as well as developing digital products that are deliberately less energy-intensive. 

The second is social, which encompasses the use of technology to increase accessibility, inclusion, independence, and good health. 

The third is economic, which includes both employment outcomes and principles of circular economies. 

Finally, the fourth pillar that organizations are measured on is about their commitment to justice, equity, diversity and inclusion. 

To date, Le Collectif NRS has mapped 33 companies and organizations across Quebec that utilize technology responsibly and sustainably. Now, organizations can also apply for consideration and evaluation. 

The challenge, Burra said, is separating the organizations that are genuinely responsible from those who dedicate only a small portion of their operations to responsible applications, while otherwise promoting and profiting from irresponsible use of technology. 

He pointed to large, multinational technology companies as examples.

“They’re doing amazing work in this field [of] reducing the environmental impact of technology, but they are also leveraging AI to accelerate fossil fuel extraction. 

“For us, this is a clear no-go.”