Sydney Atkinson and Jean Pier Poma, MBA ‘25 candidates, attended the ClimateCAP MBA Summit in February and wrote about their experience of the conference as well as their key takeaways.
We had the distinct honour of representing Ivey for the very first time at the ClimateCAP MBA Summit, held February 28 and March 1 at the University of California, Berkeley, Haas School of Business. The Summit convened 430 MBA students from 42 leading business schools, alongside industry leaders and climate experts, to explore the business implications of climate change. Over the course of the weekend, we dove into how climate risks are impacting industries and markets, and where new opportunities for innovation, entrepreneurship, and leadership are emerging.
From thought-provoking panels to meaningful peer connections, here are a few of our key takeaways from this inspiring weekend.
Charm Industrial Site Visit
Early in the conference, we had the opportunity to participate in an off-site trek to Charm Industrial, hosted by Harris Cohn. Located in San Francisco, Charm Industrial was the first company to permanently sequester carbon back in 2021, and they have since continued to evolve their carbon removal systems through multiple generations of innovation. Their bold mission is to return the atmosphere to 280 ppm CO₂, pre-industrial levels, compared to the roughly 450 ppm we see today. Prior to this visit, we were not aware that engineered carbon removal technologies existed. Like many, we assumed that reducing emissions and relying on natural solutions such as trees were the only viable paths forward. As individuals with engineering backgrounds, we found the technical depth of Charm’s process and the ingenuity behind their approach especially fascinating. This visit was a standout moment of the summit, offering a tangible look at the future of climate solutions in action.
Climate Science Essentials for Business Leaders
Another highlight of the conference was Andrew Isaacs’ eye-opening lecture, Climate Science Essentials for Business Leaders, which served as a wake-up call for business leaders, especially those of us just beginning our careers. His message was clear: climate change is no longer a distant issue. It is happening now, and urgent action is needed to mitigate its impact. One striking point he shared is that Canada is warming at twice the global average due to a phenomenon known as Arctic amplification. Under high-emissions scenarios, where little global action is taken, warming in Canada could reach between 6°C and 8°C by 2100, with the most severe impacts in northern regions.
Sustainable Transportation
Following these insights, another standout session was a panel on the future of Electric Vehicles (EVs), featuring Gia Vacin from California’s Office of Business and Economic Development, Michael Bakunin of Epic Charging, and Rachel Corn of GO Power EV. California’s ambitious climate goals, including achieving carbon neutrality by 2045, set a powerful example globally, demonstrating leadership through progressive policy and targeted investments. A takeaway was the pressing need for extensive charging infrastructure, especially addressing accessibility for apartment dwellers, whose EV adoption rate currently lags significantly behind homeowners. The panel emphasized emerging industry trends, such as automakers actively investing in charging infrastructure, forging strategic partnerships, and adopting more vertically integrated models. This cooperative ecosystem, combining governmental support with private sector innovation, presents an encouraging blueprint for overcoming current adoption barriers and significantly advancing the widespread electrification essential to climate goals.
Climate Investing from Seed to Scale
This was another compelling session at the summit featuring Mandira Reddy from Capricorn Investment Group, Marisa Sweeney from S2G Investments, and Mira Inbar from ArcTern Ventures. The panel drew significant interest, highlighting the shifting landscape of climate investment amid federal budget uncertainties. Investment firms increasingly favor companies whose business models are resilient without reliance on government grants or loans. The discussion emphasized investors' preference for predictable cash flows to minimize revenue risks and explained differences among venture capital approaches—some prioritize technological innovation, while others focus more on market viability. Panelists also underscored the challenges companies face securing venture funding, given the high cost of capital and investor sensitivity to underperformance.
The event also excelled in providing networking opportunities. We connected with students from leading U.S. business schools such as Kellogg, Duke, and Columbia, and even European institutions like HEC Paris. As representatives of the sole Canadian university present, we were especially excited to engage with peers and industry leaders. The summit facilitated focused networking sessions with energy companies actively recruiting alongside dynamic social events that fostered connections around critical themes like climate technology, corporate social responsibility, and nonprofit initiatives.
Participating in ClimateCAP was an incredible experience, and we're already excited for next year's summit, which will be hosted by the University of Washington's Foster School of Business in 2026. We highly encourage fellow students to apply and participate in this inspiring conference—not only to deepen their understanding of climate issues and business implications but also to join an amazing community passionate about creating meaningful change. Beyond the learning, the summit fosters lasting connections among individuals committed to impactful climate action, and we're confident that attendees will continue working together to drive positive environmental solutions in the years to come.