Wednesday, April 16, 2025
“Each year, we spend about $1 billion combatting wildfires, and this is only rising,” warned federal Minister of Environment Steven Guilbeault at the GLOBExCHANGE conference in Toronto last week at the Sheraton Centre. “The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has made it clear: the cost of inaction is measured in dollars, in lives, in communities lost to wildfires, floods, and droughts. If we wait, the price we pay—economically and environmentally—only gets higher.”
The minister emphasized the importance of strengthening the economy with climate action and making the right decisions at this critical time, as Canadians face tariff turmoil from the U.S. and other pressures.
“Good-paying green jobs and wages are going up. And Canada is leading the pack,” said Guilbeault. “The clean tech sector is one of the fastest growing in Canada, with about over 350,000 green jobs added in 2023.”
Canada’s emissions are at their lowest point in 27 years, and the Minister says he is working to cultivate partnerships in the public and private sectors to ensure continued success. “Building a strong, sustainable economy is no easy task—it requires bold action, based on data and the conviction that a growing economy and a healthy environment are inseparable.”
Minister of Environment and Climate Change Steven Guilbeault communicated his passion for continuing to make environmental improvements while growing the green economy. Credit: GLOBE Series.
Some of the ministry’s achievements so far include: launching the first-ever national climate plan; putting a price on pollution to stop industrial polluters from getting a free ride, while driving innovation; delivering on historic investments of over $120 billion with the Clean Economy Investment Tax Credits, financing, and infrastructure funds for better public transit, and climate adaptation projects; and, introducing standards and regulations to stimulate innovation in the energy, electricity, methane, waste and other sectors.
The GLOBExCHANGE program tracks represented four major sustainability focus areas:
- Reaching Destination Net Zero
- Building Resilient Communities
- Ensuring Water Security
- Restoring and Protecting Nature
In this time of extraordinary uncertainty, “coming together is the key to building trust and making progress,” said Elizabeth Gamble, president of GLOBE Series. She pointed to the economic and political instability happening in North America and around the world, and how it is critical that the business and sustainability communities meet in-person to develop forward-thinking solutions.
In addition to Guilbeault, the event featured other high level climate action advocates, including Catherine McKenna, founder and CEO of Climate and Nature Solutions. The former environment and infrastructure minister took to the stage to officially the Canadian chapter of Women Leading on Climate, part of a global network of female leaders in business, finance, policy, and civil society working to drive ambitious climate policies and economic opportunities. According to the group’s statement, women play a crucial role in advancing climate action. They are 2.5 times more likely to demand that their government take action on climate change and twice as likely to engage civically on the issue. Also, companies with women in leadership roles tend to have better climate performance.
She shared her views on the importance of investing in a sustainable economy that will keep Canada competitive on a global scale.
“Now is the time to stay the course and be bold, not back down. Turn uncertainty into opportunity. Now is the time for Canada to stand up and say, ‘invest your money here,’” said Merran Smith, president of New Economy Canada. McKenna agreed: “This is the moment to be patriotic…Canada is amazing and we need to protect and value it.”
From left to right: Catherine McKenna, Founder and CEO of Climate and Nature Solutions; Merran Smith, president of New Economy Canada; Barbara Zvan, president of University Pension Plan Ontario. The panel discussed the importance of women and gender-diverse people in advancing Canada’s climate action. Credit: GLOBE Series.
David Coletto, CEO of Abacus Data with Patricia Fletcher, CEO of Responsible Investment Association the Canadian public opinion and what it means for all those working on sustainability and climate change. Credit: GLOBE Series.
David Coletto, founder, chair and CEO of Abacus Data, a high impact polling and research firm provided insights into the outlook of Canadians and the science of polling. “It is so important, especially if you are in the sustainability space, to understand and empathize with where people are coming from,” said Coletto on the importance of language when communicating with your audience. “Don’t assume people know what you are saying. Make sure that the words you use, and how you frame the discussion, resonates with the people you are trying to reach.”
For further information on GLOBExCHANGE and the GLOBE Series, click here.
Featured image credit: GLOBE Series.
