white banner background with small green and blue geometric shapes

June 28, 2022

8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (in-person)

9 a.m. to noon. (livestream)

Livestream registration (public)

Niagara Climate Change Summit

In September 2021, Niagara Region declared a climate emergency to accelerate action on climate change in the community. Climate change is a local, national, and global issue affecting individuals and systems around the world. Although the responsibility to act is collective, municipalities in particular play a significant role in minimizing their carbon footprint and making their communities more resilient. The inaugural Climate Change Summit is hosted by Niagara Region in partnership with Brock University and the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority.

Keynote Speaker

Karen Farbridge

Karen Farbridge leads Karen Farbridge & Associates, a consultancy based in Guelph, Ontario, Canada.

She advises federal, provincial and municipal policy makers and industry leaders on building sustainable and resilient communities. Her key area of expertise is in managing complex, multi-stakeholder policy and decision-making environments to deliver results.

Keynote Speaker

Karen Farbridge

Karen Farbridge leads Karen Farbridge & Associates, a consultancy based in Guelph, Ontario, Canada. She advises federal, provincial and municipal policy makers and industry leaders on building sustainable and resilient communities. Her key area of expertise is in managing complex, multi-stakeholder policy and decision-making environments to deliver results.

Panelists

Leading environmental and climate change action in communities

black and white headshot of a woman smiling against a white background with long dark blonde hair wearing a black shirt with a high collar.

Dr. Jessica Blythe

Assistant Professor
Environmental Sustainability Research Centre, Brock University

headshot of a 50-year-old man smiling against a light blue background with brown hair parted wearing a brown plaid blazer and blue striped collar shirt.

Ian McVey

Manager of Sustainability
Durham Region

headshot of a 40-year-old man smiling against a brick wall with short dark grey and white hair wearing a blue blazer and white collared shirt.

Paul-Emile McNab

Vice-President
Business Development & Member Experience, Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business (CCAB)

headshot shot of a 60-year-old man, with short dark grey and white hair, a beard and glasses while sitting and speaking into a microphone at a conference wearing a dark blazer and white collared shirt.

Alan Unwin

Dean
Business, Tourism & Environment Division, Niagara College

Panelists

Climate change action and the economy

headshot of a 40-year-old woman smiling against a white background with dark hair that is shoulder length, auburn lipstick and a tan-collared shirt.

Neetika Sathe

Vice President
Alectra GRE&T Centre, Alectra Inc.

headshot of a 40-year-old man smiling against a dark grey wall with short brown hair wearing a blue blazer and tan-collared shirt with dots.

Christopher Penny

Manager
Hydrogen Projects, Atura Power

headshot of a 45-year-old man smiling with short dark grey, a beard and glasses against a sky blue background wearing a dark blazer and tan-collared shirt.

Paul Seguin

Vice President
Renewable Generation, Ontario Power Generation (OPG)

headshot of a 45-year-old man smiling with short black and silver hair and a goatee against a light background wearing a dark blazer and white-collared shirt.

Graham Guest

General Manager
Energy & Technical Services, Walker Industries

Event Agenda

Livestream will be available from 9 a.m. to noon only

Time

Item

8:30 a.m.

In-person registration (invite only)

9 a.m.

LIVESTREAM STARTS

  • Welcome and introductory remarks
  • Land Acknowledgment
  • Traditional Indigenous opening
  • Introductory Remarks: Regional Chair Jim Bradley

9 to 10 a.m.

Keynote speaker: Karen Farbridge

10:15 to 10:25 a.m.

Regional Chair’s Youth Advisory Panel presentation

10:30 to 11:15 a.m.

Panel: Leading environmental and climate change action in communities

11:15 a.m. to noon

Panel: Climate change action and the economy

Noon to 1 p.m.

LIVESTREAM ENDS – Lunch for in-person summit attendees (invite only)

1 to 3 p.m.

Roundtable collaboration for in-person summit attendees (invite only)

3:15 to 4:15 p.m.

Call to Action: Accelerating climate change action in Niagara Region (invite only)

4:15 to 4:30 p.m.

Closing Remarks: Regional Chair Jim Bradley (invite only)

  • Traditional Indigenous closing

Livestream

On June 28, from 9 a.m. to noon, the Niagara Climate Change Summit will be livestreamed.

Livestream Registration

Event Partners

The inaugural Climate Change Summit is hosted by Niagara Region in partnership with Brock University and the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority.

headshot of a 70-year-old man smiling with short grey hair and glasses against a sky blue background wearing a dark blazer, white-collared shirt and blue and silver striped tie.
Most would agree that climate change is one of the most pressing issues of our time, and it is impossible to ignore how central municipal government is to the crisis. While much of our infrastructure is directly impacted by climate change, we are also significant producers of greenhouse gas emissions. This summit is a crucial first step in our efforts to directly tackle climate change by taking responsibility for our role, while also working together to make plans for the future.
Jim Bradley, Regional Chair
Niagara Region
Being a responsible part of the community in Niagara and beyond is very important to us at Brock, and that includes doing our part when it comes to sustainability and action on climate change,” said Interim President and Vice-Chancellor Lynn Wells. “Brock is proud to take part in this Climate Summit alongside our community partners at Niagara Region and NPCA, as it falls on all of us to lead by example.
Lynn Wells, Interim President and Vice-Chancellor
Brock University
headshot of a 50-year-old woman smiling against a white stone wall with dark hair that is shoulder length, auburn lipstick wearing a navy blazer and white dress shirt.
Climate change action is a critical priority for the NPCA. Our role in watershed-based flood forecasting and monitoring, water and climate science, and green infrastructure transcends municipal boundaries. Collaboration will be imperative to build resiliency and adaptation capacity across the watershed. We are pleased to partner on the Climate Summit to create a foundation for on-the-ground action.
Chandra Sharma, CAO/Secretary-Treasurer
Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority

Event Partners

The inaugural Climate Change Summit is hosted by the Niagara Region in partnership with Brock University and the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority.

headshot of a 70-year-old man smiling with short grey hair and glasses against a sky blue background wearing a dark blazer, white-collared shirt and blue and silver striped tie.
Most would agree that climate change is one of the most pressing issues of our time, and it is impossible to ignore how central municipal government is to the crisis. While much of our infrastructure is directly impacted by climate change, we are also significant producers of greenhouse gas emissions. This summit is a crucial first step in our efforts to directly tackle climate change by taking responsibility for our role, while also working together to make plans for the future.
Jim Bradley, Regional Chair
Niagara Region
Being a responsible part of the community in Niagara and beyond is very important to us at Brock, and that includes doing our part when it comes to sustainability and action on climate change,” said Interim President and Vice-Chancellor Lynn Wells. “Brock is proud to take part in this Climate Summit alongside our community partners at the Niagara Region and NPCA, as it falls on all of us to lead by example.
Lynn Wells, Interim President and Vice-Chancellor
Brock University
headshot of a 50-year-old woman smiling against a white stone wall with dark hair that is shoulder length, auburn lipstick wearing a navy blazer and white dress shirt.
Climate change action is a critical priority for the NPCA. Our role in watershed-based flood forecasting and monitoring, water and climate science, and green infrastructure transcends municipal boundaries. Collaboration will be imperative to build resiliency and adaptation capacity across the watershed. We are pleased to partner on the Climate Summit to create a foundation for on-the-ground action.
Chandra Sharma, CAO/Secretary-Treasurer
Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority

Summit Objectives

illustration of one person giving a presentation pointing to a map of Niagara region in front of two other people using laptops.

Bring diverse community leaders together to develop a common understanding of climate change and its impact on the Niagara community.

illustration of two people looking closely the eastern municipalities on map of Niagara region on an oversized tablet.

Provide a snapshot of climate change action taking place in Niagara region and other communities.

illustration of one person giving a presentation pointing to a map of Niagara region with three weather icons and a thermometer.

Give the opportunity for community leaders to commit to accelerating climate change initiatives in Niagara region.

illustration of earth with one person planting a tree, one person watering the tree being planted and a person speaking while facing the other two people.

Frequently Asked Questions

Only people who received formal invitations can attend the event in-person. Those interested in the summit are encouraged to watch it via livestream on June 28, from 9 a.m. to noon.

The summit will bring diverse community leaders together to develop a common understanding of climate change and its impact on our community. Speakers and panelists will provide a snapshot of climate change action taking place in Niagara region. The goal will be to create a call to action that will accelerate climate change initiatives in Niagara region.

Yes, you can register to participate in the livestream online. The livestream will be available on this website at 9 a.m. on June 28, and will conclude at noon.

Yes, please email climatechange@niagararegion.ca to cancel your registration.

You can find the schedule on our website.

The attire for the summit is business casual.

Brock University requires all faculty, staff, students and visitors to wear a face covering when indoors any campus buildings. All Summit attendees must follow Brock University’s vaccine mandate and masking policy when attending the summit in-person. Attendees should also complete a self-screening and stay home, if they’re sick. Please visit Niagara Region Public Health for more information.

How To Get There

There are plenty of ways to travel to Brock University such as car pooling (free parking), biking, public transit and walking. In addition to electric vehicle charging stations, Brock University also has over 30 bike racks located on the main and east campus as well as bike lanes that lead right to the university.

Contact

Beatrice Perna, Climate Change Specialist 

headshot of a 30-year-old woman smiling in nature with long dark hair, auburn lipstick wearing a tan dress shirt.
Niagara Region logo
Brock University logo
Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority logo

© 2022 Niagara Climate Change Summit