Future-proofing Vancouver: Climate Talk vs. Climate Action

Climate change is already upon us.

Right here in British Columbia, we’ve felt it in the record-breaking heat dome, ravaged salmon runs, and increasingly devastating wildfire seasons of recent years. With COP26 looming large, the question at hand is simple: what are we doing here in Vancouver to safeguard our planet, not just for ourselves, but for future generations?

The Vancouver Economic Commission (VEC) and SFU Beedie School of Business warmly invite you to join our representatives – VEC Manager of Economic Transformation George Benson and Andréanne Doyon of the Resource and Environmental Planning Program at SFU – along with Arman Mottaghi from Properate, David Oliver from Greenlines Technology, and Akua Schatz from the Canada Green Building Council.

This will be a hybrid event, featuring both an in-person audience and an online webinar broadcast.

Following a lively, moderated discussion with our panelists, we invite members of the live audience to engage in a Q&A on how we can best Future Proof Vancouver for Climate Change.

Panelists

 

Agenda

• 12:00 PM | Welcome
• 12:05 PM | Opening Remarks and Introductions
• 12:20 PM | Moderated discussion and audience Q&A
• 1:15 PM | Event Close

Location and Registration

 
This will be a hybrid event, featuring both an in-person audience and an online broadcast. You may select your preferred method of participation during regsistration.

• Online: A Zoom Webinar link will be sent to online registrants closer to the event date.
• In-person: The in-person event will follow public health guidelines. All live audience attendees will be required to wear a mask and hold a valid vaccine passport to attend this event.

   
  Djavad Mowafaghian Cinema | Goldcorp Centre for the Arts
  Simon Fraser University
  149 West Hastings Street
  Vancouver, British Columbia V6B 5K3
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Register now
 

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Panelist Bios

Andréanne Doyon

Assistant Professor at Simon Fraser University

Dr. Andréanne Doyon is a registered Professional Planner, a Member of the Canadian Institute of Planners, and the Director of the Resource and Environmental Planning Program at Simon Fraser University. Her current research focuses on urban governance and planning for resilient and climate-just cities, nature-based solutions, sustainable housing, and questions of justice in sustainability transitions. Andréanne has worked with municipalities – including Vancouver and Melbourne – on research projects investigating equitable climate action and planning for climate adaption. She has been extensively featured in print and broadcast media for her expertise on planning for climate change and unprecedented heat waves. She holds a PhD from the University of Melbourne and an MA (Planning) from the University of British Columbia.

Akua Schatz, Vice President

Market Engagement and Advocacy of Canada Green Building Council (CaGBC)

Akua Schatz is an executive leader with a successful track record of working with industry and government leaders to advance sustainability and the transition to a low carbon economy. She has championed research and programming demonstrating how energy benchmarking, the retrofit economy and zero carbon buildings can play a role in the decarbonization of Canada. Over the course of her career she has honed a deep understanding of tools to drive change including the use of sustainable financing initiates, workforce capacity building, carbon pricing and building codes to accelerate industry uptake of low carbon new construction and retrofits. She is also an experienced fundraiser who has secured more than $30 million to support non-profits’ efforts to advance sustainability.

Arman Mottaghi

CEO of Properate

Arman Mottaghi is the CEO of Properate, a local social-purpose firm on a mission to facilitate high-performance low-rise residential (Part 9) construction and renovation. Properate helps Canadians make a quick estimate of their home performance and find the best energy upgrades. Arman was named the 2021 Emerging Green Leader of Canada by CaGBC and entered the BCBusiness 30 Under 30 list in 2020. Arman is also a board director of the BC Sustainable Energy Association (BCSEA). With 17 years of achievements and four volunteer-led chapters across the province, BCSEA has been a key player in planning a more sustainable future for BC.

David Oliver

CEO & Co-founder of Greenlines Technology

David Oliver is a recognized expert in carbon markets and human-based decarbonization solutions. David is the mind behind the groundbreaking Mobility and E-commerce Carbon Engines, a director of the not-for-profit CarbonSense, recently authored the first report on Carbon Markets in British Columbia commissioned by the Vancouver Economic Commission, and has participated as carbon monetization expert in UBC’s 2020 Forestry Summit. David regularly provides strategic advice to public and private organizations looking to further reduce their Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions in innovative ways, while generating financial incentives.

Moderator: George Patrick Richard Benson

Manager, Economic Transformation (Decarbonization and the Just Transition) of Vancouver Economic Commission

An urban planner by training, George leverages his experience in business, urban policymaking, and sustainability to work with local and global businesses to deliver on Vancouver’s ambitions to create a more affordable, sustainable, healthy, and resilient economy in Vancouver. George is a recognized young leader in climate action and community leadership in Vancouver and around the world, previously serving as the Global Climate Lead for North in the Global Shapers Community, and has been involved in the national leadership of the Canadian and American urban planning associations. He currently acts as a member of the Global Commission on BiodiverCities by 2030 through the World Economic Forum and in 2017 was awarded the City of Vancouver’s Award of Excellence for the work he has done to help people who have been displaced or migrated because of climate change.