Canada’s Net-Zero Economy: Securing Prosperity in a Net-Zero World
A pan-Canadian conference on the risks and opportunities ahead
Key links:
Event details:
Monday, October 25, 2021, from 1pm – 5pm (ET)
Presented by:
The Net-Zero Advisory Body and The Canadian Institute for Climate Choices
.png)
Related posts

NZAB at COP28
Members from Canada’s Net-Zero Advisory Body (NZAB) will once again be attending the 28th annual United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties, known as COP, taking place this year from 30 November until 12 December 2023 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE). NZAB is co-hosting an event at the Canada Pavilion on December 5, 2023, with the Canadian Climate Institute (CCI).
The Developing a Net-Zero Energy System Vision for all Canadians event will build on momentum from recent COP meetings where countries increasingly recognized the massive transformation required for energy systems to meet net-zero commitments.
Panels will explore the role visions can play in leading this transformation by describing credible pathways to drive collective action and discuss the opportunity for just transitions by creating visions through collaboration and principles to meet socio-political and economic objectives. Canadian and international panelists will also provide their perspectives on developing net-zero energy systems reflecting the diversity of nations’ populations.
Check out the event page for more information about this event including speakers from SevenGen Energy, the Métis Nation of Alberta, the Environment and Climate Change Youth Council, and Presidential Climate Commission of South Africa.
Don’t forget to check back here for a summary of NZAB attendance and reflections after COP28 concludes!
Links

Building Momentum Toward Net Zero
Mark your calendars! On November 9, 2023, join the Canadian Climate Institute and the Net-Zero Advisory Body for our third annual pan-Canadian climate conference: Building Momentum Toward Net Zero.
Date: Thursday, November 9, 2023, full-day conference
Last year’s conference was a huge success with more than 1,500 participants. This year’s conference promises to be just as dynamic with our great line-up of national and international speakers including:
- Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Natural Resources
- Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change
- Corinne Le Quéré, Chair, The High Council for Climate, France
- Geoffrey R. Pyatt, Assistant Secretary for Energy Resources, U.S. Department of State
- Catherine Cobden, President & CEO, Canadian Steel Producers Association
- Celyeste Power, President and CEO, Insurance Bureau of Canada
- James Jenkins, Executive Director, Indigenous Clean Energy
Schedule
8:30 am Welcome and Land Acknowledgement
- Tosh Southwick, Climate Institute
- Sarah Houde, NZAB
- Elder Verna McGregor
8:45 am Latest results of NZAB and the Climate Institute’s advice and analysis
- Dan Wicklum, Co-chair, Net-Zero Advisory Body
- Rick Smith, President, Canadian Climate Institute
8:55 am Opening remarks
- Mairead Lavery, President & CEO, Export Development Canada
- Bea Bruske, President, Canadian Labour Congress
9:05 am Panel 1: Regulating Zero Emission Vehicles
- Moderator: Simon Donner, NZAB
Speakers: Brian Kingston, Canadian Vehicle Manufacturers
Joanna Kyriazis, Clean Energy Canada
Katya Rhodes, University of Victoria
- Increasing the uptake of zero-emissions vehicles is key to reducing pollution from the transportation sector. This panel explores the federal government’s work to ensure 60 per cent of new light-duty vehicles are zero-emissions by 2030, en route to 100 per cent of new light-duty vehicles by 2035.
9:55 am Remarks
- The Honourable Gavin Newsom, Governor of California (video)
10:10 am Keynote: Geoffrey R. Pyatt, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Energy Resources
- Introduction by Peter Nicholson, Chair, Canadian Climate Institute
- Geoffrey R. Pyatt, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Energy Resources
- Interviewed by Sean Speer, Editor at Large, The Hub
10:40 am Ministers’ discussion
- Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change Canada
- Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Natural Resources
- moderated by Catherine Abreu, NZAB
11:30 am Panel 2: Greening Canada’s Buildings
- Introduction by Philippe Adam, President and CEO, Pomerleau
- Moderator: Kate Harland, Climate Institute
Speakers: Bryan Flannigan, Building Decarbonization Alliance
Raegan Bond, Dunsky
Monica Gattinger, Institute for Science, Society and Policy
James Jenkins, Indigenous Clean Energy
- Climate pollution from the building sector is increasing, putting Canada at risk of missing its 2030 emissions reduction target. This panel discusses the use of policies such as the Green Building Strategy to address these rising emissions while also making new and renovated buildings more resilient to extreme weather events.
1:05 pm Video Greetings
- Crispian Olver, Executive Director, Presidential Climate Commission, South Africa
- Premier of B.C. David Eby
1:10 pm Keynote: Corinne Le Quéré, Chair, France High Council on Climate
- Introduction by Frank Marchetti, Minister-Counsellor
- Corinne Le Quéré in conversation with Éric-Pierre Champagne, La Presse
1:45 pm Panel 3: Policies for a Bigger, Cleaner, Smarter Electricity System
- Introduction by Jonathan Price, CEO, Teck
- Moderator: Sachi Gibson, Climate Institute
Speakers: Mark Jaccard, BC Utilities Commission
Francis Bradley, Electricity Canada
Laura Arnold, VP, External Affairs, Sustainability and Market Policy, TransAlta
Moe Kabbara, Transition Accelerator
- The “big switch” from fossil fuels to clean electricity is the backbone of Canada’s clean energy transition, and will require coordinated actions from all orders of government. This panel looks at how policies and regulations can decarbonize, expand, and modernize the grid to provide clean, affordable, and reliable electricity to all Canadians.
2:35 pm Panel 4: Improving Output-Based Pricing Systems in Canada
- Introduction by Catherine Cobden, President & CEO, CSPA
- Moderator: Dale Beugin, Climate Institute
Speakers: Sarah Petrevan, Cement Association
Caroline Brouillette, CAN-Rac
Michael Bernstein, Clean Prosperity
- Output-Based Pricing Systems (OBPS) create incentives for industrial emitters to reduce emissions while protecting their international competitiveness. Several provinces have their own systems; the federal backstop applies in others. This panel will discuss changes that could be made to improve the OBPS’s impact and drive emissions reductions in sectors like electricity, steel, and cement.
3:45 pm Panel 5: Implementing the National Adaptation Strategy
- Introduction by Mandy Gull-Masty, Grand Chief, Cree Nation of Eeyou Istchee
- Moderator: Sarah Miller, Canadian Climate Institute
Speakers: Celyeste Power, Insurance Bureau of Canada
Erin Myers, Métis National Council
Caroline Larrivée, Ouranos
- The summer of 2023 was marked not just by unprecedented wildfires, floods, droughts, and other extreme weather events all across Canada, but also by the publication of Canada’s first National Adaptation Strategy. Senior governments have historically undervalued and underinvested in climate change adaptation but with the National Adaptation Strategy the federal government has now spotlighted adaptation as a critical national priority on which it must play a leadership role. This panel discusses what needs to happen now to ensure the strategy delivers on protecting Canadians from the increasingly severe impacts of climate change.
4:35 pm Panel 6: Capping Oil and Gas Emissions
- Moderator: Dan Wicklum, NZAB
Speakers: Mark Cameron, Pathways Alliance
Chris Severson-Baker, Pembina
Sara Hastings-Simon, University of Calgary
- Scientists are clear that to avoid the worst consequences of climate change we need to attain net zero emissions by 2050 and follow a steady emissions reduction trajectory between now and 2050. This is a key reason countries must set interim reduction targets like Canada’s 2030 target. This session explores the emissions performance of the domestic oil and gas sector as it relates to global peers, in the context of meeting Canada’s 2030 target, the upcoming regulatory cap on oil and gas emissions, and future Canadian competitiveness.
5:20 pm Closing Remarks
- Elder Verna McGregor

CICC-NZAB event: Securing prosperity in a net-zero world demands ‘urgency’
A changing climate and global economic trends are already having major impacts across Canada. To thrive in this new world, along with honouring Canada’s commitment to reaching net-zero by 2050, the country must find ways to transition to a net-zero society while securing economic prosperity.

The Net-Zero Advisory Body (NZAB) and Canadian Institute for Climate Choices (CICC) co-hosted an event, Canada’s Net-Zero Economy: Securing Prosperity in a Net-Zero World, on October 25, 2021, aimed at doing just that.
By spotlighting 15 speakers with diverse backgrounds in business, environment, and governance, the discussions highlighted key considerations and practical ideas for pathways that Canada can take to tackle the toughest policy question of the decade. The theme of ‘urgency’ was prominent throughout the 4-hour event. The live panel discussions, individual interviews, video messages, and real-time questions posed by Canadians from around the country provided a platform for frank exchanges and knowledge building.
This important event has set the stage and expectations for Canada’s participation at COP26 in Glasgow and for Canada’s own net-zero plans. It marks an important start to a long-term discussion.
Highlights
- The Hon. Jonathan Wilkinson, Canada’s new Minister of Natural Resources (previously Minister of Environment and Climate Change), stressed the importance of being proactive in our mission against climate change: “[the] situation is urgent; our runaway is short… being competitive means being at the forefront”.
- Chris Stark, Chief Executive of the UK’s Climate Change Committee shared lessons learned from the UK, which has reduced carbon emissions by nearly 50 percent since 1990. “We’re beyond ‘sexy’ new targets: implementing targets and delivery is the new mantra”.
- NZAB co-chairs Marie-Pierre Ippersiel and Dan Wicklum highlighted the 10 values and principles that will guide the NZAB’s work in developing advice on net-zero pathways, and took questions from the virtual audience.
- Officials from the CICC presented their recent report, Sink or Swim, which assesses the implications of the global low-carbon transition for Canada’s economy, and the strategies that can be used to manage risks, seize opportunities, and drive clean, strong, and inclusive growth.
- Session 4: The Business of Net-Zero, led by leaders from the energy, transportation, and buildings sectors, looked at ways to ensure Canada remains industrially competitive. There was consensus that a positive transition puts job security and economic prosperity at the centre of decision-making, with the private sector helping to lead the charge.
- Regional Chief Kluane Adamek, a member of the NZAB and Regional Chief for Yukon, Assembly of First Nations, spoke of the necessity to respect Indigenous rights, climate leadership, and knowledge in charting pathways to net-zero.
Quotes
“Net-zero is not just an environmental policy. It is about the entire economy and requires reimagining society’s structure and systems. And we have no time to wait. The science tells us what must be done and we have an obligation to act.”
Dan Wicklum, Co-Chair of the Net-Zero Advisory Body
“Our mission is clear: to provide the federal Minister of Environment with independent advice on achieving net-zero by 2050. We also have the mandate to engage Canadians across the country about our work.”
Marie-Pierre Ippersiel, Co-Chair of the Net-Zero Advisory Body
“The pressing urgency of climate change is real, and it’s not going away—it’s only going to get stronger. The question isn’t whether the world is going to net-zero. The question is whether Canada will lead or be left behind. So we need to ensure, as Canadians, that our future is positioned for success in this new net-zero economy.”
Rick Smith, President of the Canadian Institute for Climate Choices
Links

Compete and succeed in a net zero future
Concrete solutions that the Government of Canada should implement to ensure that Canada benefits from a carbon-neutral global economy, accelerates the achievement of a carbon-neutral economy and generates clean prosperity for generations to come.