2025-2026 Annual Report
Shifting shades
Planting the seeds
In 2019, amid growing concern about the financial risks of climate change, a pair of Canadian law professors launched an effort to help corporate directors and pension trustees better understand the issue. The academics — Dr. Janis Sarra from the University of British Columbia (UBC) and Professor Cynthia Williams from Osgoode Hall Law School at York University — founded what is now known as the Canada Climate Law Initiative (CCLI).
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British Columbia
Janis Sarra
CCLI Co-founder and Advisor and Professor of Law Emerita, Peter A. Allard School of Law
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Steady growth
In the years that followed, CCLI entered a period of steady growth, expanding its research, outreach, and national presence as climate governance became an increasingly urgent priority for Canadian organizations. What began as a small academic effort quickly evolved into a trusted voice on director duties, fiduciary responsibility, and the legal implications of a warming world. New partnerships, a growing network of experts, and a widening portfolio of research has helped CCLI deepen its roots and extend its influence across sectors and audiences.
“Our growth has been organic, driven by the needs of the moment and the commitment of people who believe in strengthening climate governance in Canada.”
Dr. Carol Liao, Chair, Canada Climate Law Initiative
Under her leadership, CCLI has continued to branch outward—supporting directors, informing policymakers, and helping professionals and organizations navigate the shifting shades of climate risk with clarity and purpose.
221
presentations to boards of directors since inception
Branching out
“As the landscape continues to shift, our work adapts with it. We are expanding into new areas where legal and governance clarity, evidence, and leadership are urgently needed.”
Sonia li Trottier, Director, Canada Climate Law Initiative
Over the past year, the Canada Climate Law Initiative has continued branching out into new areas of impact, expanding its research, deepening its policy engagement, and strengthening its role in Canada.
Canada Climate Week Xchange
As a founding member of the Canada Climate Week Xchange (CCWX), we helped launch a national forum to support Canada’s commitment to significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 by creating and promoting a space for cross-sector collaboration on Canada’s climate-related challenges, helping to drive solutions and opportunities. The inaugural week brought together Canadians from coast to coast to coast.
99
CCWX events
6
time zones
4
languages
Our team was heavily involved in organizing events during the first CCWX.
- We hosted the most talked about event of the week: Risk! A Climate Cabaret. We sang about climate risk at the Toronto Stock Xchange to a surprised and generous audience.
- We gathered lawyers and other legal professionals together to find actions they can take to help tackle the climate crisis.
- With AI emerging as one of 2025’s most influential forces, its massive energy footprint made it a critical topic for Canada Climate Week Xchange — and the focus of Hari M. Osofsky’s lecture at York University, hosted by Dr. Barnali Choudhury.
As CCWX evolves, we will continue to help shape its direction. We encourage you to join the movement.
Illuminating nature-related risks
This year marked a significant deepening of CCLI’s work on nature‑related risks, reflecting the growing recognition that biodiversity loss, ecosystem degradation, and nature‑driven disruptions pose material risks to Canadian organizations. A major milestone was the release of a new legal opinion on nature‑related risks and directors’ duties, which clarifies that boards must consider nature loss alongside climate change when assessing long‑term strategy, risk oversight, and fiduciary responsibility. This work expands the contours of climate governance in Canada, illuminating how shifting ecological conditions—from declining forest cover to watershed instability—are reshaping the landscape of corporate accountability.
“Our work this year underscores a simple truth: nature is not a backdrop to business—it is a determinant of long‑term value and resilience.”
Lisa DeMarco, Climate Governance Expert, Canada Climate Law Initiative
Rising tides
Threats to marine territories on the Pacific Northwest Coast have intensified—from renewed federal moves that weaken the long‑standing oil tanker moratorium to proposed changes to British Columbia’s Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (DRIPA) following the Cowichan decision affirming Aboriginal Title to submerged lands.
“Oceans define coastal Indigenous Peoples. We are the oceans and the oceans are us. It’s time for Canadian law to align, respect, and reconcile with this integrality and relationality.”
Terri-Lynn Williams-Davidson, Principal Co-Investigator, Canada Climate Law Initiative
Against this backdrop, we released a new report highlighting how Indigenous law and Indigenous jurisdiction offer a path forward for protecting the oceans surrounding Canada. Written by Terri‑Lynn Williams‑Davidson, K.C., Richard M. Hutchings, Nigel Baker-Grenier, Marina La Salle, and Veronica Stanford, the report examines the deep relationships between Indigenous Peoples of the Pacific Northwest Coast and their marine territories, and the urgent need to restore Indigenous authority in ocean governance.
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British Columbia
Terri-Lynn Williams-Davidson, K.C., Gid7ahl Gudsllaay Lalaxaaygans, K.C.
General Counsel, Haida Nation
We are proud to share that Terri-Lynn Williams-Davidson was recognized this year by the Real Estate Foundation of BC’s Land Awards for “leading the way with respect to sustainability, equity, and social justice in land use and real estate.”
More research
CCLI also advanced important province‑specific research this year, including new analysis on Québec’s evolving duty of vigilance and a detailed examination of accountability and transparency in British Columbia’s mining sector. For boards of directors in Canada’s construction industry, we released a new guide in collaboration with the Canadian Construction Association.
Shaping the next season of policy
This year, the Canada Climate Law Initiative focused its policy recommendations on strengthening climate related governance across Canada’s public and private sectors. Our submissions consistently urged governments and regulators to create mandatory frameworks that are clearer and more credible for managing climate related financial risks and investing in solutions, improve the quality and consistency of climate disclosures, and ensure that directors and fiduciaries understand their duties. Across federal and provincial consultations and testimonies, legislative reviews, and regulatory comment processes, CCLI emphasized the need for coherent sustainable finance policy, stronger oversight of environmental claims, and alignment of corporate governance expectations with Canada’s climate commitments.
“Our submissions consistently highlighted the need for coherence: climate policy, sustainable finance, and corporate governance must move in the same direction if we expect organizations to manage climate related risks effectively and provide shareholders with the knowledge they need to confidently invest in Canadian businesses.”
Dr. Helen Tooze, Senior Policy Researcher, Canada Climate Law Initiative
This year:
71
letters to policymakers
33
submissions to public consultations
244
high-level advisory meetings
Cultivating climate-ready leaders
Now in its third year, the Micro‑Certificate in Climate Risk & ESG for Corporate Governance and Decision‑Making continues to convene senior leaders to exchange practical insights and deepen cross‑sector understanding. This year’s cohort brought together professionals from major Canadian retailers, leading law firms, and prominent financial institutions.
“Teaching in the Micro Certificate program has shown me just how quickly the field of climate governance is evolving. Each cohort arrives ready to grapple with new complexities and emerging responsibilities. Seeing participants connect the dots — between fiduciary duty, climate science, financial risk, and long term strategy over the course is one of the most rewarding parts of my work.”
Alison Schneider, Instructor
In partnership with the Conseil du Patronat du Québec, we translated and tailored our professional development program for Québec, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises. We hosted two groups bringing together 25 senior business leaders, supported by QNP.
“Small and medium-sized enterprises are the backbone of Québec’s economy. As climate governance plays a crucial role in accelerating business transformation, we, at QNP, are delighted to collaborate with CCLI and the CPQ to equip leaders with the knowledge and tools they need to better understand climate-related risks and opportunities, and translate that understanding into informed action.”
Anne-Josée Laquerre, Instructor
100
learners since the course launched in 2023
Turning over a new leaf
After seven years of purposeful operation, we are proud to introduce a refreshed brand identity that aligns with the future of our work. Climate action is not a static destination; it is a continuous, evolving process where change is the only constant. Our new brand reflects this dynamic reality.
CCLI’s new identity is built around a versatile, interchangeable colour palette. Inspired by the natural transition of Canadian seasons and changing leaves, these shifting tones represent our ability to adapt, innovate, and meet new challenges. At its core is a visual metaphor for growth: the stylized leaf in our logo where the smallest square doubles in size, then doubles again. This geometric progression represents the compounding, scalable impact.
Support that endures through the seasons
Our work is made possible by the generosity of our donors and the dedication of 75 climate governance experts who share their time and insight pro bono. They are the stewards of our shared mission and their support propels us forward.
New buds
A warm welcome to our growing roster of experts:
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Ontario
Joanna Dafoe
Senior Fellow, University of Toronto’s Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy
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Alberta
Conor Chell
Partner, National Leader – Sustainability, Environment & Regulatory Law, KPMG Law Canada
Funders
- Chisholm Thomson Family Foundation
- Ivey Foundation
- Jarislowsky Foundation
- McConnell Foundation
- North Family Foundation
- Trottier Family Foundation