About 1/4 of the greenhouse gas emissions causing climate change are directly caused by heavy industry – the production of goods like steel, chemicals, and cement. Because of the central role these goods play in the global economy, and their emission-intensive production, heavy industry emissions are expected to be some of the most difficult to get rid of, but doing so will still be an essential part of the transition to a net-zero emission economy. This session takes on the question of how to make it happen. We’ll be discussing the changes that will need to happen across heavy industry, from the engineering of new technology and material efficiency methods, to the practices and policies that will be needed to see those methods succeed on a wide scale.

Over 90% of people want to live a more sustainable life at home, but nearly a third are unsure of what actions to take. IKEA has a bold ambition to become a fully circular and climate positive business by 2030. Join Heléne Loberg, Head of Sustainability at IKEA Canada as she shares examples of circularity and sustainability that are woven into the company’s operations, product design and people-focused approach to retailing. Learn how the national retailer continues to push forward on its ambitious journey to offer healthier and more sustainable solutions at a scale that Canadians can afford.

Plastic pollution has become one of the most pressing environmental issues facing the world today. To tackle it, we require locally informed, strategic solutions. The U of T Trash Team is a science-based community outreach group working together using education, public outreach and scientific research to increase waste literacy in our community while reducing plastic pollution in our ecosystems. In this session, we will explore the extent of the problem, the work we are doing locally, and how we can connect local solutions to tackle global plastic pollution.

Where do innovative ideas come from and how might we find them? At this Ideation Workshop event, we’ll learn how to generate innovative ideas. Part presentation, part workshop, the speaker will lead the audience through exercises they find helpful when it comes to creative thinking.

The session will focus on ESG and responsible & sustainable supply chains, highlighting the business benefits and opportunities for value creation, as well as some of the challenges associated with industry adoption. The session will also outline some career paths for students wanting to work in ESG-related roles.

In this workshop, Paul Magder, co-founder of Repair Café Toronto, will talk about the most common household items that need repair. He will demonstrate how to extend the life span of broken items through repairing. Paul will be in conversation with the workshop host, Professor Lon Appleby, Founder of the Global Class at Durham College introducing what a Repair Café is and the kinds of skills and abilities required to organize a repair event. Paul will also talk about the state of the repair business as of 2022 and explain how consumer products can be designed and made to support the circular economy. As well, their conversation will discuss the right to repair movement and where the fight for repair is happening.

In this workshop, you can expect to learn about the key role the Insurance Industry plays in communities recovering from disasters, as well as some key initiatives TD Insurance is specifically doing to embed resilience in our claims settlement practices.

This session will be announced shortly. Check back soon!

We examine the reality of climate change in Canada and the many threats it poses to what we love. But climate solutions can also make life better. Climate action can address injustices and create a healthier, more equitable, flourishing world. With a special focus on communicating narratives of hope, this is a session for anyone who wants to be able to talk about climate with purpose.