UN-PRI side event: Capitalizing on Clarity
- Oct 9, 2024
7:00-9:00 PM EDT - 200 Front St W, Toronto, 30th Floor
Capitalizing on clarity: The Canadian taxonomy in action
The long-awaited sustainable finance taxonomy in Canada will serve as a guide for both “green” and “transition” investments, providing much-needed clarity for allocating climate capital that investors have been demanding. Our expert panel includes some of the leading figures in taxonomy development in Canada and around the world. They will delve into practical implementation of the taxonomy in Canada, governance considerations, and lessons from the international community. Join the Canada Climate Law Initiative and the Institute for Sustainable Finance for a timely discussion on the taxonomy in action, presented as a side event to the UNPRI In-Person conference this October, at the Smith School of Business Campus in Toronto.
This event is sold out.
Moderator
Catherine McCall
CEO, Canadian Coalition for Good Governance
Catherine was appointed as CCGG’s Chief Executive Officer in April 2023. She first joined CCGG in November of 2012 as the Director of Policy Development and was named Executive Director in July 2018. Prior to joining CCGG, Catherine was a principal at Hugessen Consulting and head of their corporate governance practice. Catherine also has worked as a Vice-President and director of ISS Canada Corp., the Canadian division of RiskMetrics, and as a partner with Fairvest Corporation, ISS’ predecessor firm. Catherine began her career practicing law with Davies Ward & Beck in Toronto. Catherine has written and spoken widely on issues of corporate governance and executive compensation. She is a member of the Institute of Corporate Directors and received the ICD.D designation in 2017.
Presenters
Ryan Turnbull
Parliamentary Secretary to the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance and to the Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry
Ryan Turnbull was elected in 2019 and 2021 as the Member of Parliament for Whitby, (Ontario) after a successful career in social innovation and sustainability. Shortly after his election, Ryan founded the Social Innovation and Sustainable Finance Caucus, and initiated Ottawa’s premier event on Sustainable Finance. In 2023, he was appointed by the Prime Minister to serve as Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, and more recently he was also appointed Parliamentary Secretary to the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance. Ryan has been instrumental in getting Canada’s Social Finance Fund launched, making Employee Ownership Trusts a reality, and has relentlessly pursued advancements in Climate Finance, including advocating for the suite of Investment Tax Credits, the launch of the Canada Growth Fund, and the implementation of a Green and Transition Taxonomy, as well as, Mandatory Climate Disclosures. In all his work, Ryan is driven by his passion for building a more just and sustainable economy.
Andrea Moffat
Senior Director, Sustainable Investing, Addenda Capital
Andrea leads Addenda’s stewardship efforts which includes active engagement with companies and issuers on Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) matters to enhance the long-term value of investments for clients. This also includes actively promoting sustainable financial markets by collaborating with experts and engaging with standard-setters and policy-makers to create a more sustainable and net-zero aligned economy and market. Previously, Andrea was the Vice President of The Ivey Foundation. She brings over 20 years of experience managing environment and sustainability issues in the public, private, investment, and non-government sectors in Canada and the U.S.
Barbara Zvan
President and CEO, University Pension Plan Ontario (UPP)
Barbara Zvan is the Inaugural President and Chief Executive Officer of the University Pension Plan Ontario (UPP) and former Chief Risk and Strategy Officer for the Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan. She was appointed to the Government of Canada’s Expert Panel on Sustainable Finance, is a member of the Advisory Committee for the new ‘Investing to Address Climate Change’ Charter and played a significant role in creating the G7 Investor Leadership Network. She led the Taxonomy Technical Expert Group for the Sustainable Finance Action Council. Barb is a member of the Advisory Board for the Institute for Sustainable Finance.Nicole Yazbek Martin
Head of Taxonomy and Natural capital, Australian Sustainable Finance Institute
Nicole is currently leading the development of the Australian Sustainable Finance Taxonomy working closely with government and regulators, to develop common definitions for sustainable economic activities and investments. Nicole also leads a body of work at Australian Sustianable Finance Institute with major finance sector entities to integrate nature considerations into financial capital allocation decisions. Nicole has a background in climate and sustainability in government, banking, private equity, and law. She has deep knowledge and experience working across the finance value chain on structuring sustainable products, assessing sustainable investment credentials and applying key sustainability monitoring frameworks, and has led the review of major climate policies including of the Emissions Reduction Fund, during her time in the public sector. Nicole holds a Master of Laws in international trade and post-graduate qualifications in finance and economics.
Jonathan Arnold
Acting Director of Clean Growth, Canadian Climate Institute
Jonathan Arnold is the Acting Director of Clean Growth at the Canadian Climate Institute. With a Master’s in public policy, Jonathan's research expertise cuts across a range of environmental and economic policy issues, including the global low-carbon energy transition, sustainable taxonomies, climate risk and finance, air pollution, and municipal water and waste. Jonathan was the technical lead on developing the Sustainable Finance Action Council's green and transition taxonomy framework in 2023. His previous roles include Senior Research Associate with Canada’s Ecofiscal Commission and Economist with Environment Canada.