"But I am not sugar-coating it. We have so much more work to do. We must move much, much faster on both reductions of emissions and strengthening resilience."
— Simon Stiell, UN Climate Change Executive Secretary, COP30
As discussions at COP30 come to an end, a stark reality has emerged: despite meaningful progress, climate action remains far too slow. Business – a central force in the world’s economic and environmental future – must accelerate the pace. Yet even for organizations well-versed in sustainability, charting a meaningful path forward in such a rapidly evolving landscape is no simple task.
With net-zero pathways sharpening and sustainable finance reshaping markets, Canadian firms now possess powerful levers to reduce emissions and safeguard long-term value. But, as urgency mounts, business faces critical questions: How can progress accelerate? Which levers matter most? And what leadership will Canada’s transition demand?
At Impact Live – Leading through climate complexity, Ivey Dean Julian Birkinshaw brings together seasoned climate leaders to break down the critical developments from COP30 and highlight practical steps businesses can take to strengthen their sustainability impact. This complimentary webinar will spotlight high-impact levers for change and how organizations can help advance Canada’s sustainability trajectory.
Meet the panelists
AVP Sustainability, Co-operators
Tom Ewart, MBA ’05, is Associate Vice-President of Sustainability at Co-operators, where he has advanced the organization’s vision to be a catalyst for a resilient and sustainable society — work that helped earn recognition as the world’s most sustainable insurer and co-operative. He now leads the Co-operators Resilience Acceleration Lab, focused on mobilizing private capital to accelerate and strengthen climate resilience. Previously, he helped to stand up and lead Ivey’s Network for Business Sustainability. Tom holds a Master of Environment and Business from the University of Waterloo.
Teanne von der Porten, MBA ’05
Executive Director, Sustainability & Climate Services
Robert Klassen, MBA '89
Associate Dean, Research and Professor, Operations Management, Sustainability, Ivey Business School
Robert D. Klassen, MBA ’89 is Associate Dean (Research) and Professor of Operations Management at the Ivey Business School. His research examines the linkages between operations and sustainability, including such areas as operational risk and social performance in supply chains. He has over 65 refereed publications and serves in editorial roles for leading operations journals. He has taught across all program levels, focusing on courses in Sustainability and Operations Management, and co-authored two textbooks and over 40 cases and simulation exercises.
Meet the moderator
Julian Birkinshaw, MBA '91, PhD '95
Dean, Ivey Business School
Julian Birkinshaw, MBA ’91, PhD ’95, became Dean of Ivey on August 1, 2024. He is a globally recognized expert in innovation, digital transformation, and strategic agility. Before returning to Ivey, he spent 25 years at London Business School, serving as Vice Dean (2022–2024) and leading major innovations in graduate and executive education. A Thinkers50-ranked thought leader, he has authored 16 books, over 90 articles, and 40 cases. A sought-after speaker and consultant, he advises companies like Pepsico, RBC, and Ericsson and is frequently cited in global media, including CNN, BBC, The Economist, and Sloan Management Review.