Business View Civil and Municipal | March 2021

6 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL MARCH 2021 ABORATION charge presentations to directors and trustees to help them navigate the fast-changing climate governance landscape. “There is a big emphasis today on board competence around climate change. We know that BlackRock, the world’s largest shareholder, is asking boards to be climate competent and deliver credible plans for how their business models will transition to a net-zero economy. It will require a big shift in understanding at a time when directors are also busy responding to the impacts of the pandemic. CCLI offers knowledge and resources to help develop the strong and capable leadership that is needed for Canada to successfully transition to a net- zero economy,” says Juvarya Veltkamp, Director, Canada Climate Law Initiative. CCLI applauds the launch of High-Level Climate Ministerial cooperation to align our policies and goals with the United States to tackle the climate crisis. “The financial risks of climate change are not uncertain at all, the only uncertainty is the timing of impacts; and what is key is to effectively manage the risks and engage in forward-looking strategic planning as Canada navigates towards a net-zero emissions economy,” says Dr. Janis Sarra, Principal Co- Investigator at CCLI. It is thus important that Canada works with the United States to address climate change on a policy level. CCLI’s robust legal research allows the team to propose specific policy recommendations that can help support this international cooperation. CCLI’s Experts deliver presentations to corporate directors and pension trustees to strengthen their climate governance. The Canada Climate Law Initiative looks forward to greater collaboration between the Canadian and American public and private financial institutions. About the Canada Climate Law Initiative The Canada Climate Law Initiative (CCLI) is a cross-disciplinary research initiative that advances the understanding of climate governance across Canada through research, dialogue and knowledge sharing. CCLI conducts rigorous legal analysis and consult with a national network of 55 Canadian Climate Governance Experts to bring up-to-date governance knowledge and tools to corporate and pension boards across Canada. CCLI is led by three principal investigators, Dr. Janis Sarra and Dr. Carol Liao from the Peter A. Allard School of Law, University of British Columbia, and Professor Cynthia Williams from the Osgoode Hall Law School, York University. CCLI offers knowledge and resources to help develop the strong and capable leadership that is needed for Canada to successfully transition to a net-zero economy