Logo

Join 300+ leaders driving sustainable finance forward.

2023 Sustainable Finance Summit

September 6th, 2023 | EY Tower, Toronto
View Agendaarrow_forward

About This Event

The 2023 Sustainable Finance Summit (held on September 6th, 2023, in Toronto) explored how technologies, tax incentives, and climate risk frameworks were reshaping how Canadian banks and lenders buy, lend, and invest. The focus was on achieving real analytics (moving beyond proxy data, like PCAF), understanding regulatory frameworks, and leveraging government tax incentives for green finance in renewables and carbon capture. Attendees gained actionable strategies for integrating ESG into risk management and lending decisions.

This summit was for Senior Executives and decision-makers across the financial sector, including leaders from major Banks, Credit Unions, Lenders, Investment Firms, Insurers, and Fintechs. Professionals in Risk Management, Sustainable Finance, and Corporate Strategy gained critical insights from speakers at top institutions (BMO, RBC, Scotiabank, etc.). The event offered robust networking and hands-on workshops on complex topics like Climate Stress Testing and Sustainable Investing.

Speakers

John Uhren MD, Sustainable Finance
Kim Brand VP & Global Head, Sustainability
Barbara Zvan CEO & Member of Canada's Expert Panel on Sustainable Finance
Sumee Seetharaman AVP, External Ecosystems
Gopala Narayanan SVP Enterprise Risk
Nancy Goudreau Managing Director, Sustainable Finance
Angie Lamarsh Head of Sustainable Finance
Malik Yacoubi CEO
Jennifer Livingstone VP Enterprise Climate Strategy
Katerina Kindyni CLA Board Member | Financial Services Sustainability Lead
Aida Shahbazi Head, Environmental & Social Risk Management
Mona Kothari-Chitalia Head of Digital Strategy
Mario Schlener Lead Risk Consulting
Alex Todorovic CEO | Founder
Jonathan Fleisher Partner, Financial Service
Jane Lin Americas ESG Risk Quantification Lead
Sam Mugel Co-Founder | CTO
Johanna Bradie Director, Climate Risk Modelling
Grant MacFarlane Vice President
Chris Brossard CEO
Tracy (Malay) Lagasse Digital Transformation Leader | Financial Services
Amira Alfa Sustainability Software Leader, Financial Services
Sanders Lazier CEO | Founder
Genevieve Turcotte VP Integrated Risk
Eddy Burello Partner, Tax Leader
Sarah Keyes CEO
Paul Allard CEO & Co-Founder
Gillian Lofts Global Sustainability Leader

Sponsors

Agenda

8:00 - 4:30

8:00 - 8:45

Breakfast Schmooze

8:45 - 9:00

Welcome

9:00 - 9:20

Oh Canada! Our Lackluster Global Scorecard

MINI KEYNOTE: This keynote looks to global success stories and scores Canada’s progress. How Canada can leapfrog by emulating some of these wins?

9:30 - 10:00

Sustainability Semantics 101: Frameworks & Taxonomies

PANEL: This introductory panel sets the stage and allows the attendees to gain a comprehensive understanding of the regulatory landscape and how new mandates will impact the finance sector. Explore the challenges and opportunities that financial institutions face in meeting these requirements.

10:00 - 10:30

The End of Proxy Data: Real Analytics

PANEL: How can we understand, develop, and execute on strategies around the Global GHG Accounting and Reporting Standards for the Financial Industry (PCAF)? This panel explores how current qualitative and proxy data can be replaced by quantitative factual data, outlining emission-intensive hotspots in the lending industry. By addressing the existing gaps in data sourcing, measuring, and reporting, we can identify emission-intensive hotspots in the lending industry and work towards effective emission reduction strategies. Join us as we unlock the power of data to foster transparency, accountability, and informed decision-making in sustainable finance.

10:30 - 11:00

Tax: Incentivising Good Behaviour

PANEL: The variety of structures that can be utilized in financing green oriented finance projects. These projects will include renewables (solar, wind , hydro and geothermal), nuclear, hydrogen, carbon capture and retrofit. Budget 2023 proposes to provide $500 million over ten years to the Strategic Innovation Fund to support the development and application of clean technologies in Canada. Where do we as funders see the opportunities? 

11:00 - 12:00 Concurrent

Morning Networking Hour

NETWORK MEETINGS: Use the Sustainable Finance Summit App to setup multiple one-on-one sessions in the networking hall. Scheduled meetings correspond to table numbers. Establish the partnerships that will advance your business in 2024.

11:00 - 12:00 Concurrent

Accelerating Data Analysis Across Sectors

WORKSHOP: Gain invaluable insights into how data analysis is shaping sustainable finance strategies, aiding investors, financial institutions, and businesses in aligning their initiatives with ESG goals and principles. Explore the evolving landscape of ESG data availability, quality, and integration into investment decision-making processes. Understand the challenges and opportunities in harmonizing ESG metrics across sectors. Walk through case studies leveraging artificial intelligence, machine learning, and big data analytics and explore how data analysis is enhancing risk assessment and resilience within sustainable finance practices, safeguarding portfolios against emerging ESG-related risks.

Use the Sustainable Finance Summit App to sign up for the interactive workshops as space will be limited.
11:00 - 12:00 Concurrent

Sustainable Investing: The Quant Quandary

WORKSHOP: A deep dive into sustainable investment. Not for the faint hearted investor? That is changing. How can predictive software help corporations reduce the waste they produce from manufacturing, forecast the energy they produce from sustainable sources, and enable greener finance for the socially responsible trader? How do you navigate risk and incorporate stress testing into your investment methodology? Leading quants and risk consultants walk you through solutions that will change your investment strategy.

Use the Sustainable Finance Summit App to sign up for the interactive workshops as space will be limited.
11:00 - 12:00 Concurrent

Climate Stress Testing

WORKSHOP: This workshop explores risk assessment and data analysis: Participants work together to create plausible and relevant climate change scenarios, taking into account factors such as temperature rise, sea-level rise, extreme weather events, and other relevant variables. The identified scenarios are used to assess potential risks, vulnerabilities, and potential impacts on various aspects, such as infrastructure, supply chains, finances, and environmental resources. Workshop participants analyze available data, models, and projections to quantify the potential consequences of each scenario on the organization or system under review.

Use the Sustainable Finance Summit App to sign up for the interactive workshops as space will be limited.

12:00 - 1:00

Networking Lunch

1:00 - 1:30

Green(ing) Mortgages

PANEL: Join us for an engaging panel discussion on the evolving landscape of green mortgages and their role in promoting energy efficiency and sustainability in both residential and commercial sectors. Discover the initiatives, programs, OPTA intelligence and financial incentives available to individuals and businesses who opt for green mortgages, and how these financing options contribute to a more sustainable future. Gain insights into the strategies and best practices for integrating sustainability criteria into mortgage decisions, ultimately driving positive change in the real estate industry.

1:30 - 2:00

New-Age Checkout: Supporting SMB & Consumer Decisioning

PANEL: Discover how financial institutions can play a pivotal role in supporting SMBs and consumers in adopting and incentivizing sustainable business practices and financing options at point-of-decision. Explore the challenges and opportunities faced by consumers when it comes to making sustainable purchasing decisions and how financial institutions can provide guidance and incentives.

2:00 - 2:30

Beyond Treehugging: Bottom-up Climate Risk Stress Tests

PANEL: This concluding panel looks to the near future. Central banks and financial regulators now widely acknowledge that climate change is a source of financial stability risk, via physical and transition risk. Discover how financial institutions are leveraging risk quantification techniques to understand the current vulnerabilities to climate-related risks, examine how firms expect to adjust their business models, and the collective impact of these responses on the broader economy.

2:30 - 3:30 Concurrent

Afternoon Networking Hour

NETWORK MEETINGS: Use the Sustainable Finance Summit App to setup multiple one-on-one sessions in the networking hall. Scheduled meetings correspond to table numbers. Establish the partnerships that will advance your business in 2024.

2:30 - 3:30 Concurrent

Technology Solution Deep Dive

WORKSHOP: In this dynamic and engaging session, we will present cutting-edge solutions designed to empower banks and fintechs to swiftly and effectively tackle sustainability challenges. Our workshop is focused on real-world case studies and outcome-driven learning, ensuring you gain practical knowledge with a clear focus on ROI.

Use the Sustainable Finance Summit App to sign up for the interactive workshops as space will be limited.

2:30 - 3:30 Concurrent

Regulatory Brief & Discussion

WORKSHOP: Gain insights into the existing sustainable finance regulations in Canada, including policies aimed at promoting ESG. Examine the trajectory of sustainable finance regulation in Canada and its alignment with international agreements and goals. Understand the tangible effects of sustainable finance regulations on financial markets, asset management, and institutional investors, and explore potential avenues for fostering growth and innovation. Discuss collaborative efforts between government bodies, financial institutions, businesses, and civil society in shaping and implementing sustainable finance regulations. Discuss challenges faced by market participants in adhering to these regulations, while also uncovering the emerging opportunities for businesses to drive positive environmental and social outcomes.

Use the Sustainable Finance Summit App to sign up for the interactive workshops as space will be limited.
3:30 - 4:30

Can I Buy You a Drink?

Details

Date

September 6th, 2023

Time

8:00 AM - 6:00 PM

Venue

EY Tower, 40th Floor, 100 Adelaide St W, Toronto, Ontario