2023 Sustainable Finance Summit

September 6, 2023 8:00 AM · 10h EY Towers, Toronto In-Person Event
This event has ended

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

BMO logo
John Uhren
MD, Sustainable Finance
Scotiabank logo
Kim Brand
VP & Global Head, Sustainability
University Pension Plan Ontario logo
Barbara Zvan
President and CEO
TD logo
Sumee Seetharaman
AVP, External Ecosystems
RBC logo
Gopala Narayanan
SVP Enterprise Risk
Desjardins logo
Nancy Goudreau
Managing Director, Sustainable Finance
HSBC logo
Angie Lamarsh
Head of Sustainable Finance
Nesto logo
Malik Yacoubi
CEO
RBC logo
Jennifer Livingstone
VP Enterprise Climate Strategy
EY Canada logo
Katerina Kindyni
CLA Board Member | Financial Services Sustainability Lead
BMO logo
Aida Shahbazi
Head, Environmental & Social Risk Management
Microsoft logo
Mona Kothari-Chitalia
Head of Digital Strategy
EY Canada logo
Mario Schlener
Lead Risk Consulting
Arbor logo
Alex Todorovic
CEO | Founder
Cassels logo
Jonathan Fleisher
Partner, Financial Service
Ivey Business School logo
Jane Lin
Americas ESG Risk Quantification Lead
Multiverse Computing logo
Sam Mugel
Co-Founder | CTO
Scotiabank logo
Johanna Bradie
Director, Climate Risk Modelling
First Financial logo
Grant MacFarlane
Vice President
CMLS Financial logo
Chris Brossard
CEO
Microsoft logo
Tracy (Malay) Lagasse
Digital Transformation Leader | Financial Services
IBM logo
Amira Alfa
Sustainability Software Leader, Financial Services
Carbon Hound logo
Sanders Lazier
CEO | Founder
Desjardins logo
Genevieve Turcotte
VP Integrated Risk
MNP logo
Eddy Burello
Partner, Tax Leader
ESSG Global Advisors logo
Sarah Keyes
CEO
Impak Analytics logo
Paul Allard
CEO & Co-Founder
EY UK logo
Gillian Lofts
Global Sustainability Leader

Partners powering the room

Title Sponsor
Gold Sponsors
Bronze Sponsors
Supporting Sponsors
Wicked Ventures logo — Supporting Sponsors
Monitor Daily logo — Supporting Sponsors
ISF logo — Supporting Sponsors
Program

Agenda

8:00 - 4:30

9:00 am – 9:20 am

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 am – 10:00 am

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 am – 10:30 am

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 am – 11:00 am

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 am – 12:00 pm

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 am – 12:00 pm

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 am – 12:00 pm

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.

1:00 pm – 1:30 pm

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 pm – 2:00 pm

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 pm – 2:30 pm

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 pm – 3:30 pm

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 pm – 3:30 pm

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.
Location

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the venue wheelchair accessible?
Event Experience & Logistics

Yes, our venue is wheelchair accessible.

Can I get a list of registered attendees before the event?

We don’t provide a list of registered attendees ahead of the event. If you’re looking to connect with other attendees, the Finance Events Mobile App (where available) lets you browse the full list of registered attendees and message other delegates once you’re both registered and checked in.

Can I pay in CAD or USD?
Payments & Pricing

Tickets can be purchased in either CAD or USD – you can pick whichever currency you’d like to shop in while reviewing the event details, before you check out. Our payment partner processes payments in multiple currencies, so you can still pay from any country supported by Stripe, regardless of which currency you choose for your ticket.

Can I transfer my ticket to a colleague?
Registration & Tickets

Yes. Only the person who purchased the ticket can edit attendee details, and this can be done directly from My Orders — just log in, find the order, and swap in your colleague’s name and contact details. Attendee edits close 48 hours before the event, so make any changes before then.

Can my company pay by invoice/PO instead of credit card?
Payments & Pricing

We don’t currently accept payment by invoice or purchase order. If credit card isn’t an option for your company, please reach out to our team via the Contact page to discuss other possible payment arrangements.

Do you have a networking app?
Event Experience & Logistics

The Finance Events Mobile App lets you build your schedule, view the agenda, and connect with other attendees — but it’s not set up for every summit. Where it’s available, you’ll find the download link and setup instructions sent via email to the attendee or specified in another question. If you don’t see it mentioned for your event, that summit isn’t using the app.

Do you offer discounts?

Yes, Canadian Lenders Association (CLA) members receive a discounted rate. If your company is a CLA member check with your organization’s primary contact for the details or reach out to the CLA directly.

Do you offer invoices or receipts for expense reporting?
Payments & Pricing

Yes — an invoice is sent to the purchaser as a PDF along with your order confirmation email. If you need another copy, it’s also available from My Orders

Do you provide visa invitation letters for international attendees?

Invitation letters are handled on a case-by-case basis and can’t be guaranteed. A confirmed ticket purchase is generally the first step before we’re able to consider a request, so once you’ve registered, please reach out via the Contact page with your details and we’ll see what we can do.

How do I become a sponsor?
Sponsorship & Exhibiting

We’d love to have you involved. Sponsorship and exhibitor packages for each of our summits — including pricing, benefits, and available tiers — are hosted on the Canadian Lenders Association website at canadianlenders.org/sponsorship. There you can browse packages specific to the event you’re interested in and see what’s still available. If you have a question that isn’t answered there, or you’d like to talk through the best fit for your company, just reach out through our Contact page and a member of our team will get back to you.

How do I update my registration info after I’ve registered?
Registration & Tickets

Only the ticket purchaser can update attendee details. If you bought the ticket, log into My Orders to edit the registration — job title, company, or contact information. If someone else purchased your ticket on your behalf (e.g. your company registered you), you’ll need to ask them to make the update, or have them reach out to us directly.

What is the refund, cancellation, or ticket transfer policy?
Registration & Tickets

Unless otherwise noted on a specific event page, tickets are non-refundable. If you can’t attend, the ticket purchaser can transfer it to a colleague directly from My Orders — attendee edits close 48 hours before the event, so make the change before then. If Finance Events ever needs to cancel or reschedule an event, you’ll be offered a credit or refund.

When will I receive a confirmation email with my registration details?

You’ll receive a confirmation email immediately after registering with your order details and invoice. If you purchase multiple tickets, the purchaser receives the order confirmation email with the full purchase details, and each individual attendee will also receive their own separate email confirming their registration

Where can I find session transcripts & recordings?
Content & Resources

Selected session recordings, transcripts, and highlights are shared after each summit. You can browse past sessions on our Featured Panels page, and full transcripts are published via the Canadian Lenders Association here. Not every session is recorded or transcribed, so availability can vary by event

Where can I manage my existing orders?
Registration & Tickets

You can view and manage your orders anytime from My Orders.

Will I be photographed or recorded at the event?
Privacy & Policies

By registering you consent to being photographed and recorded (audio and video) by Finance Events and its partners. We may use, exhibit, post, display, broadcast, or distribute these photos and recordings in our external communications and on social media. Full details are in our Terms & Conditions.

Will my name, company, and title be shared with other attendees?
Privacy & Policies

Yes – by registering, your name, company, and contact details may be included in our networking app to enable attendee-to-attendee connections, unless you opt out. If you’d prefer not to be included, contact us and we’ll remove you from the networking list. Full details are in our Terms & Conditions.