Our interactive TOCW 2026 Impact Report brings it all together. People, ideas, conversations — and momentum. Here’s a look back at everything we built together.

TOCW 2026 started on Monday, June 1, with events that had 2,129 attendees. Next up, a record-breaking Tuesday, June 2, with 3,812 attendees — the biggest crowd day. Momentum peaked with 79 events in just 48 hours. And by the end of the week — all 10 flagships sold out.

Zoom into neighbourhoods, explore daily highlights, and revisit the moments that shaped our biggest year yet.

TOCW Impact Report

Climatebase Fellowship — applications are open for Cohort 10

Named by Forbes as a top professional development program in energy and climate, the 12-week Climatebase Fellowship connects mission-driven professionals with expert-led learning, industry leaders, hands-on projects, career support and a global community of 4,500+ alumni.

Apply now (deadline Aug. 24)

Thank you for reading and being part of the TOCW community!

With gratitude,
The TOCW team

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When over 5,000 people attended the October 1-3 kickoff — more than triple our initial target of 1,500 — we doubled our goal for June 1-7, 2026 to 10,000 attendees. The way you showed up proves that Toronto Climate Week is emerging as a high-trust climate platform for the GTA and Canada as a whole.

Stay tuned for an interactive impact report from TOCW 2026, coming in August!

In this edition:

• New Environics Research report shows Canadians still care about climate change, but they are weighting it against everything else

• The Environics Research TOCW survey results are in, with your thoughts on momentum, connections, and TOCW outcomes

• Climatebase Fellowship applications are open for Cohort 10 until August 24

Most Canadians see climate change as serious

Fewer feel progress is happening.

New research from Environics Research shows this gap clearly: 84% of Canadians describe climate change as a serious global problem, but only 45% of GTA residents feel real momentum on solutions right now. When Torontonians were asked what would make Toronto Climate Week meaningful, they didn’t ask for more awareness. They asked for action, solutions, and visible impact.

That gap between concern and confidence is the key finding in this report. Closing it takes visible, collective action — which is what drives TOCW.

Read the full Environics Research report to see what’s creating the gap.

The Environics Research TOCW survey results are in…

and here are your thoughts on momentum, connections, and TOCW outcomes!

A big thank-you to all who completed the survey! Your feedback will help shape TOCW 2027 as we work to create the conditions for long-term climate impact in Toronto and Canada.

Climatebase Fellowship — applications are open for Cohort 10

Named by Forbes as a top professional development program in energy and climate, the 12-week Climatebase Fellowship connects mission-driven professionals with expert-led learning, industry leaders, hands-on projects, career support and a global community of 4,500+ alumni.

Apply now (deadline Aug. 24)
Join the Aug. 4 Info Session

Thank you for reading and being part of the TOCW community!

With gratitude,
The TOCW team

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As we reflect on this year's events and start planning what’s next, we want to hear from you. Complete our survey before the July 7 11:59 PM deadline for a chance to win VIP access to True North Rising — Toronto Climate Week 2027’s kickoff event — plus a flagship event of your choice! (subject to availability)

Begin Survey

We’ve partnered with Environics Research, one of Canada’s leading research firms, to conduct this brief 5-minute survey. All responses are confidential and anonymous. Your experiences and insights will be instrumental in shaping TOCW 2027.

Thank you for your continued support and for taking the time to share your feedback.

With appreciation,

The Toronto Climate Week Team

This survey is registered with the Canadian Research Insights Council’s (CRIC’s) Research Verification Service. If you’d like to validate its authenticity, please visit www.canadianresearchinsightscouncil.ca and use project code 20260521-EN386.

Register today before spots fill up!

In this edition:

• Flagship Events: Explore Canada’s natural resources & demystifying carbon solutions

• Sustainalicious: Get ready for a new climate-smart eating initiative

• Changemaker Chat: Q&A with Sarah Clayton, TOCW’s Head of Operations

• Media Partner Spotlight: Environment Journal

• Dates to Note: Event submission & one more information webinar

  Climate action starts in our local communities… invite a friend to join you at TOCW!

  Share

  

🚩 Flagship events

• Natural Resources, Infrastructure & Energy | June 3
  In partnership with CURA and Natural Resources Canada. In this conversation, we dive into Canada’s natural resources and the industrial strengths we can turn into a global competitive advantage.
  
  How critical minerals, sustainable forestry, electrification, and low-carbon infrastructure can drive energy security and long-term economic strength. Unlocking the potential with real-world tools — this is the conversation that connects vision to action.

  9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Approval required.
  

• Carbon Solutions: Canada’s Competitive Edge | June 3
  Together with Carbon Removal Canada and Mast Reforestation, we’re convening leaders from government, philanthropy, and industry to demystify the carbon solutions landscape.
  
  Here, we explore how carbon removal and broader carbon management are one of the most important pillars of Canada’s positioning in the global market — from policy signals and regulatory clarity to market activation.
  
  2:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Approval required.

🥦Sustainalicious: Bold flavours. Big impact.

Imagine what happens when an entire city gets involved.

Sustainalicious is coming to Toronto this May.

This year, we are doing things differently — together with our partners at Eat for Impact, Zestyplan, and Toronto Vegetarian Food Bank. From May 15 to June 14, we’re inviting you to experience Sustainalicious, a city-wide celebration of climate-smart eating. The best restaurants across Toronto have partnered with us to feature exclusive, sustainable dishes, while home cooks can explore a growing collection of chef-curated recipes.

These dishes rank among the city’s best, crafted to be as impactful as they are delicious. A typical Sustainalicious dish has the same climate impact as taking 3 cars off the road for a day and saves enough water to fill 14 bathtubs. From the comfort of your kitchen to a meal out with friends, powering climate action can be as easy as choosing your next meal.

Throughout the month, track your collective impact by registering your team for a friendly competition. Rally your colleagues, members, or group to compete on Toronto’s city-wide leaderboard and measure your sustainability progress.

Visit sustainalicious.ca today to pre-register for early access to menus, recipes, and event updates. Join the movement and help make every meal count.

🎤”It’s a real cherry on top that all this positive impact is rooted in my hometown”: Changemaker Chat with TOCW’s own Sarah Clayton

This week we turn the spotlight on a key member of the Toronto Climate Week team, Sarah Clayton. As Head of Operations, Sarah is a tireless force in making TOCW happen.

Q: Where did your sustainability journey begin?

A: As with all good journeys, there were multiple influences. My professional background was driven by a desire to be a digital nomad before remote work was commonplace. I’ve done everything non-technical in tech: working at startups, scaleups, and venture studios. I like to build. My curiosity expanded alongside my geographical range, and my values became more defined. To live a life I loved, I needed to work on things I cared about.

In parallel, I was becoming increasingly fascinated, and horrified, by how we were treating our planet. There was also excitement because I found the big problem I wanted to work on: climate change. Livable futures love a gal with gumption.

Q: How did you get involved with Toronto Climate Week?

A: Once I honed in on climate change as my path, I got curious and wondered “What does Toronto’s climate community look like?” This brought me to one of Becky Park-Romanovsky’s prior startups, Climate North, and I kept going back until they asked me to join the team. Showing up is great, showing up consistently is better.

Flash forward almost a year — Becky reached out with “a crazy idea” and I became one of the founding members of Toronto Climate Week. Opportunities like that don’t come along every day.

As Head of Operations, my focus is on building scalable workflows that are sustainable for our team. We’re just shy of 70 people working in cross-functional teams in a decentralized, asynchronous environment trying to double our impact from October to June. I’m never bored.

Q: Recalling what renowned climate scientist Katharine Hayhoe said at the International Women’s Day event at the Lawson Climate Institute, what are you doing to create hope?

A: If you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go together. There’s a lot of power in creating a space for people to show up and work collaboratively on something they care about. Amplifying collective action with Toronto Climate Week is how I’m trying to evoke hope.

Outside of TOCW, it’s seeing and supporting a surge of sustainable lifestyle choices. Bike lanes are getting busier, thrifting is mainstream, and there’s a big push to shop local. I think what’s really important here is while climate exists in some conversations, others are led by different values like health, individuality, and community. Inviting different values to bring us to the same outcomes is a great way to increase the odds of success.

Q: What are you most looking forward to about Toronto Climate Week 2026?

A: There’s so much to be excited about. When you’re bringing together this volume of people with a shared vision it’s impossible not to expect that outcomes of the week will include partnerships, investments, and jobs. You never know when you’ll meet someone who will change your life and new trajectories are going to be mapped.

I’m also very excited about the range of events that will happen; from fashion to finance, communications to carbon markets there will be something for everyone. It’s going to see a lot of people pick up incremental adjustments towards more sustainable living that will help increase the velocity of change.

Q: Why do you love what you do?

A: The people. Hands down. The vast majority of people working in climate have an inherent understanding that we win as a team and that shines through in how they show up. Helpful, problem-solving mindset, good attitudes — those traits go a long way with me. They also bring with them these visceral passions and fascinating solutions.

I’ve always loved to learn, so getting to spend my days peering into what others are building almost feels like I’ve unlocked a professional cheat code. I’ve long lived by the mantra “build the community you want to live in,” so it’s a real cherry on top that all this positive impact is rooted in my hometown.

🌟 Media Partner Spotlight: Environment Journal

Environment Journal provides Canadian consultants, contractors, and the communities they serve with the latest news, expert perspectives, project profiles, and practical guidance pertaining to Canada’s green economy. Our goal is to inform, inspire, and connect readers across the country.

The key focus areas for content are decarbonization, remediation, cleantech, and ESG. Check out our online platform — EnvironmentJournal.ca — for daily coverage, weekly newsletters, and quarterly magazines. Also find out about our premier industry events and award-winning webinar series.

Environment Journal is a part of the SiteMedia Group, Canada’s leading business-to-business (B2B) media company for the industrial market.

We are a proud media partner of Toronto Climate Week 2026!

LinkedIn: Environment Journal
X: @Enviro_Journal
Facebook: @EnvironmentJournal
Instagram: environment.journal

📅 Dates to note

• Final General Information Webinar — April 30, 2026 register on Luma

• Deadline to have events live on Luma with details finalized — May 15, 2026

With gratitude,

The TOCW Team

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This week’s newest events are live on the events calendar, and spots are filling. From Women in ClimateTech to experiential dinner with table talk, Yoga for Eco-Anxiety, and Indigenous Wisdom & Climate Medicine — the range, creativity, and intention behind each event reflect exactly what we’re working towards together.

Head to the TOCW events calendar, explore what’s new, and grab your spot!

In this edition:

• Ready to host an event?: Everything you need to know

• Events Roundup: A closer look at flagship events

• Media Partner Spotlight: Corporate Knights, including a free subscription to Corporate Knights magazine

• Dates to Note: Event submission & next general information webinar

🎫 Ready to bring your own event to life?

Hosting an event is one of the most powerful ways to showcase your climate leadership, grow your network, and get your brand in front of Toronto’s most engaged climate community — whether that’s a panel, workshop, networking evening, or creative activation.

Our Host Resource Hub has everything you need to get started:

✨ Step-by-step guidance to submit your event
✨ Venue, vendor and speaker directories
✨ Practical planning tips and best practices
✨ Our TOCW calendar to help you find your audience

👉 Ready to host? Submit your event
Deadline to submit: May 15.

🚩 Flagship Events

• Leading Change Summit 2026 | June 2 📍 Toronto Botanical Garden
  In partnership with Leading Change Canada, this event is for the next generation of sustainability leaders — young professionals aged 19–35 who are ready to lead through uncertainty.
  
  Up to 150 of Canada’s top young professionals will gather at the Toronto Botanical Garden for a full day of hands-on workshops, co-creation sessions, immersive nature experiences, and honest conversations. This year’s Summit is anchored in one theme: resiliency. Not just building your own resilience as a leader — but contributing to the systems-level resilience Canada needs for a sustainable, thriving future. This is a launchpad.
  

  8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Approval required — apply here by April 10.
  

• The Climate Tech Journey: From Ideation to Industrialization | June 4
  In partnership with MaRS & the Lawson Climate Institute, University of Toronto. This event is for founders, researchers, and innovators navigating the path from climate idea to real-world impact.
  
  Building a climate tech company is not a straight line. This afternoon event takes an honest and inspiring look at how climate innovations evolve from academia into the real world — and what it truly takes to grow Canada's next generation of climate tech champions. Expect engaging discussions, inspiring presentations, and an hour-long reception to connect with the people building what's next.
  
  1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m., followed by a 1-hour reception. Approval required.

  Subscribe to stay up to date on new events!

🌟 Media Partner Spotlight: Corporate Knights

Corporate Knights Inc. is a leading sustainable-economy media and research organization. Founded in 2002, Corporate Knights is committed to speeding up the transition to a sustainable economy in which both people and the planet can thrive.

Our award-winning magazine, Corporate Knights, is a magazine of choice among business leaders, policy-makers, and investment decision-makers. Published quarterly, Corporate Knights maintains an editorial focus on climate change, responsible investing, and the ideas, actions, and innovations that shape a sustainable economy. With a circulation of 112,000+, our magazine is distributed in The Globe and Mail, The Washington Post, and The Wall Street Journal.

Corporate Knights’ research division produces global sustainability rankings, research reports, and financial product ratings based on corporate sustainability performance. Corporate Knights’ flagship ranking is the Global 100 Most Sustainable Corporations in the World, released each year during the World Economic Forum.

For a one-year free print subscription (Canada only), enter code TOCWxCK2026 at this link.

Offer ends on June 7, 2026.

📅 Dates to note

• Next General Information Webinar — April 14, 2026 register on Luma

• Deadline to have events live on Luma with details finalized — May 15, 2026

With gratitude,

The TOCW Team

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Also not an April 1 joke: The Toronto Climate Week events calendar is growing! With 30 events already live — from bootcamps and book clubs to upcycled craft nights and wind turbine tours — start exploring today and sign up for what excites you the most.

Spots fill up fast, and new events are being added every week. Want to stay in the loop? Subscribe to TOCW on Luma to be the first to know!

In this edition:

• Events Roundup: Newly added featured & flagship events

• Changemaker Chat: Q&A with Deirdre Campbell, President at Tartanbond Communications, on sustainable and regenerative tourism

• Dates to Note: Event submission & next general information webinar

  
  Subscribe to stay up to date!
  TOCW’s newsletter is a free publication

Subscribe now

🚩 Newly Added Featured & Flagship Events

• Marketing, Comms & Media — Changing the Narrative from Cost to Opportunity | June 4 Hosted by Orchestra Marketing — an interactive experience of candid panels, workshops, and honest dialogue exploring how to move the climate narrative from cost to opportunity, closing with a networking happy hour.
  (Registration is open)

• TOCW’s Official Celebration: The Afterglow | June 5
  This is the night where the climate sector’s most impactful brands and organizations, leaders, founders, thinkers, creatives, and champions gather under one roof to exhale, let loose and celebrate. And yes, there will be dancing.
  (Registration will open in April)

  
  Plus, registration is now open — secure your spot at this year's Flagship Events:

  • TOCW’s Official Kick-Off: True North Rising | June 1

  • Natural Resources, Infrastructure & Energy | June 3

  • Carbon Solutions: Canada’s Competitive Edge | June 3

  • The Climate Tech Journey: From Ideation to Industrialization | June 4

  • Food: The Other Big Climate Lever | June 4

  • Nature & Blue Economy | June 5

    ---

🎤“It’s time for us to really celebrate what we’re doing in Canada”: Changemaker Chat with Deirdre Campbell

This week we sat down with Deirdre Campbell, President at Tartanbond Communications, to learn about sustainable and regenerative tourism. Deirdre is also a board member with the Adventure Travel Conservation Fund, a co-founder of the IMPACT Sustainable Travel and Tourism Summit held annually in Victoria, BC, and a proud Canadian.

Q: What is sustainable tourism?

A: One in 10 people work in tourism globally, yet it’s often overlooked as an industry for sustainable impact. Sustainable tourism involves the environmental side—using sustainable building materials, solar energy for an accommodation in the middle of a very remote area, water solutions, electrification opportunities. Many early adopters of these practices in the tourism industry were forced to sustainability because they were located outside of city centres and didn’t have a big urban grid to tap into.

Social and cultural initiatives are another big part. Tourism is typically seen as this wonderful thing, but we definitely want to make sure we leave a destination better off after visiting. This is what leads from sustainable to regenerative tourism. People will visit a beautiful area and then realize they want to give back to it, leaving it better than it was before they visited, because the experience gave them something.

Q: What’s an example of tourism giving back in a positive way?

A: We worked with the country of Jordan to help promote their Meaningful Travel Map. A lot of tourism happens in urban centres, which was the case in Jordan, and they wanted to bring tourism to rural areas where people could really benefit from having visitors. So they designed experiences organized along a trail: farms where you can eat a traditional lunch or learn to pick olives, overnight camping spots, opportunities to meet textile makers and artisans. We helped promote the map with Tourism Cares, so that visitors have a guide that helps them connect with locals and educates them on the best ways to be a responsible visitor.

Tourism Cares has brought the Meaningful Map Model to destinations around the world and is hosting their conference in Asheville, North Carolina this year, which experienced severe flooding in Fall 2024. The message is the same: the most supportive thing visitors can do is to invest back in the local community.

Q: What brought you to sustainable tourism?

A: My a-ha moment happened while I was doing an MBA at Royal Roads University here in Victoria. They were probably one of the first to bring sustainability into their business school courses. I had seen the impact of positive tourism experiences but it was not described as sustainable tourism, yet other industries were bringing the concepts of sustainability into their business models. So I reached out to the tourism community in British Columbia and offered to explore how we could ensure the tourism industry could become more sustainable across our province and throughout Canada.

I discovered through networking that people focused on sustainable tourism were often lone wolves, pioneers working on their own trying do what’s best for the tourism industry. We started the Impact Sustainability Tourism Conference here in Victoria 10 years ago, now called the Impact Summit, to bring people together to continue the dialogue, share best practices, and build community.

Q: What draws you to support Toronto Climate Week?

A: We have a team across Canada, and I’m always asking them to go out into the community and find ways we can support values-aligned projects. And when they brought Toronto Climate Week to me, I was so thrilled because it’s such a great fit. We’re always learning and sharing, and a gathering of people who are passionate and doing really good work, is a powerful way for us to connect our clients to new knowledge and expertise.

In Canada, when it comes to sustainability and good work, we’re very collaborative, very open. I see this with clients in tourism all the time. It’s a competitiveness, but in the sense that as one succeeds, we all succeed.

We tend to be humble, but now is the time for us to really celebrate what we’re doing in Canada and share that. Bringing communities together to have these discussions gives me hope. Sometimes they’re tough discussions, but we’re only going to solve them if we do it together.

Q: Why do you love what you do?

A: Every couple of years, I present Tartanbond to Destination Canada as one of their core agencies. They always ask “Why are you the right team for us?” and I always cry. I get so emotional, because as someone who travels the world, I know what we do here in Canada, and I know what we do well. Working with Destination Canada I get to meet interesting, passionate people every day in my work and celebrate them, and I also get to celebrate Canada in so many different ways. I feel very thankful I’m Canadian.

Toronto Climate Week is thrilled to partner with Tartanbond as our official Agency of Record for PR and Influencer relations. Thank you for supporting our 2026 mission!

📅 Dates to note

• Next General Information Webinar — April 14, 2026 register on Luma

• Deadline to have events live on Luma with details finalized — May 15, 2026

With gratitude,

The TOCW Team

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Check back frequently as we aim to hit 200 events, double the number from October 2025. March 31 is the deadline to join us as a sponsor. Two flagship events have sold out of sponsorship slots, and only one slot is available for many events.

In this edition:

• Events Roundup: Introducing the first batch of featured & flagship events

• Changemaker Chat: Q&A with Sanders Lazier, Founder of Carbonhound, on going about business in an ethical way and succeeding

• Partner Spotlight: Centre for Social Innovation, TOCW’s official hub

• Join Our Team: Volunteer opportunities available

• Dates to Note: Including event submission & general information webinar

🚩Featured & Flagship Events:

Registration for these events will begin at the end of March. In meantime, mark your calendars!

• Official Kick-Off: True North Rising — Canadian Competitive Advantage | June 1
  Where Canada’s climate conversation begins — uniting leaders across government, finance, industry and civil society to advance a prosperous climate future.

• Leading Change Summit 2026 | June 2
  Full-day experience convening the next generation of sustainability leaders (ages 19–35) to learn, connect and drive action.
  (Registration will open in April)

• Sustainable Finance | June 2
  Invite-only event uniting Canada's leading finance and sustainability leaders to discuss the intersection of sustainability, capital and competitive advantage.
  (Registration will open in April)

• Natural Resources, Infrastructure & Energy | June 3
  Bridging vision and investment — an exploration of the real-world tools, from credible certifications to Indigenous partnerships, that unlock private capital and drive Canada's long-term economic strength.

• Carbon Solutions: Canada’s Competitive Edge | June 3
  Turning carbon solutions into opportunity — examining the capital, policy and market pathways that create competitive edge.

• Food: the other big climate lever | June 4
  Experiential exploration of food as one of climate’s most powerful, accessible and delicious tools for change.

• The Climate Tech Journey: From Ideation to Industrialization | June 4
  Joined by MaRS and the Lawson Institute — an honest and inspiring look at what it takes to grow Canada’s next generation of climate tech companies.

• Nature & Blue Economy | June 5
  Exploring how Canada's land and water are defining pillars of global competitiveness and investment opportunity.

  ---

🎤Nice guys DON’T have to finish last : Changemaker Chat with Sanders Lazier of Carbonhound

This week we spoke with Sanders Lazier, Founder at Carbonhound, a software platform that helps businesses measure and reduce their impact on the climate, and one of TOCW’s earliest sponsors.

Q: What inspired you to start Carbonhound?

A: Carbonhound was really born out of frustration more than anything else. I was trying to build a different company focused on decarbonizing the built space. I had a list of 54 different vendors on the GHG and reduction side, and what I noticed was that everything was designed for large businesses. It was really difficult to find high-credibility options that weren’t incredibly expensive that would allow me to take action in a responsible and data-driven way.

So, I wanted to create a world-class technology platform that levels the playing field so companies of all sizes can take advantage of opportunities and avoid the risks of a changing environment.

My concern was that if we just have tools for large businesses, you’re going to get a situation of haves and have-nots. Where those who can execute with sustainability as part of their strategy enjoy better access to capital and improved economic outcomes. And hopefully along the way, if everyone is winning, then we can reduce political polarization around climate action as well.

Q: How does Carbonhound make life easier for businesses that want or need to reduce their climate impact?

A: One of our customers just got an email that said “Hey, just so you know, because you’re one of our tier-one suppliers, you need to reduce your emissions by 50% by 2030.” Businesses forward this type of email to us all the time, asking, “What are we going to do about this?”

Carbonhound solutions automate the workload of measuring, reducing, certifying, and marketing carbon emissions. Every client gets assigned a point of contract here, so you can ask questions whenever you need — you’re never left on your own.

Compared to a spreadsheet-based approach, this means you can have more confidence in the reports generated, which allows companies the backing to leverage the outcomes of the reports in marketing collateral and sales conversations with big customers to differentiate your proposition. We’ve found that level of confidence is really important to help make sure our customers are getting business value out of the work.

We support almost 300 businesses now, across Canada, the United States, and internationally, including over a dozen publicly traded companies. I’m really proud that we’ve managed to maintain accessible pricing, through partnerships with nonprofits and through our own pricing schemes. We don’t say no just because you’re a small business.

Q: What’s giving you optimism in 2026?

A: The economics are on our side for an energy transition that will have massive impacts. We’re starting to see the implementation of clean technologies at scale and very clear business cases that show that this is not only the right thing to do, but also the best thing to do for your business as well.

And we’re just at the beginning of this transformation:

• China is starting to build electric boats for freight transportation.

• New sodium batteries will be much cheaper than lithium-ion batteries, with less resource intensive materials.

• Electric cars are coming out with 800+ kilometre range this year.

Q: What inspires you to support TOCW?

A: First and foremost, Becky [Park-Romanovsky, Founder and Executive Director of TOCW]. I’ve known her for a while, and I wanted to make sure we supported her to bring this vision to life.

Moreover, if I’ve learned anything in my time running this business over the last five years, it’s that community is critical to progress. Climate is so interdisciplinary — we need the finance specialists, technology expertise, scientists, and the reporting and regulatory experts to move the ball forward. The more we can promote community and interconnection through platforms like Toronto Climate Week, the higher chance we have of building momentum and progress.

Q: Why do you love what you do?

A: For as long as history has been written, we’ve seen that companies have existed in a mindset of exploitation for the hope of profits. If you look at the narratives around some of the most successful people, the message is that nice guys finish last.

We want to show that you can build a company that can do good and do well — and that doing well doesn’t need to be at the expense of others. You can go about your business in an ethical way and succeed.

My happiest moments involve working with businesses and a team that shares this mission.

Which food is more climate intensive? Test your knowledge with the Carbon Corgi Race game developed by Sanders. Fun fact: David Miller, former Toronto mayor, played at TOCW 2025!

✨Partner Spotlight: Centre for Social Innovation

We are delighted to continue our partnership with the Centre for Social Innovation (CSI) located at 192 Spadina Avenue, just north of Queen Street East.

• For hosts: Hosting at CSI offers a great opportunity to promote your event, as CSI will actively promote CSI-hosted events in the lead-up to June 1–7. The venue can accommodate groups ranging from 2 to 200 people, making it suitable for both small and large gatherings. It also features several spaces designed for food-related events, including access to a full kitchen.

• For attendees: During TOCW, CSI will serve as the official hub. The main floor will be open for anyone participating in TOCW to use as a space to gather, relax, work, and connect with the community.

❇️ Join our team

Volunteering for TOCW helps you build your skills, your network, and your impact. Every contribution counts, from professional expertise to simply a desire to get involved.

We’re currently looking for support across several areas, including Data Analyst, Operations Coordinator, Designer, and Accountant/ Bookkeeper.

You can learn more about all open roles and apply here.

📅 Dates to note

• Next General Information Webinar — April 14, 2026; register on Luma

• Deadline for sponsorships and partnerships — March 31, 2026; submit your interest here

• Deadline to have events public on Luma with details finalized — May 15, 2026

With gratitude,

The TOCW Team

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Aligned with the IWD 2026 theme of #GiveToGain, this edition focuses on the power of generosity and collaboration within climate action. Working together is how progress gets made and helps us create a cleaner, brighter future. That’s the spirit of TOCW… we invite you to join us!

In this edition:

• Changemaker Chat: International Women’s Day Q&A with Monika Patel, President & CEO of the Forest Stewardship Council® Canada

• Partner Spotlight: SustainabilityX® Magazine’s Global 50 Women In Sustainability Awards™: nominations are now open!

• Become a Sponsor: Partner with TOCW and help build an unforgettable climate week (deadline March 31; two flagship events have already sold out of sponsorship opportunities)

• Join Our Team: Volunteer opportunities available

• Dates to Note: Including event submission & general information webinar

Events calendar is now live
— 14 events and counting, start exploring!

Register Today

🎤“One step can still mean a big difference”: Changemaker Chat with FSC’s Monika Patel

International Women’s Day is a is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. The day also marks a call to action for advancing gender equality. So for this edition’s Changemaker Chat, we talked to Monika Patel, President and CEO of the Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC) Canada. Monika’s career spans 20 years at FSC, a global organization that promotes responsible forest management, ensuring forests are preserved and enhanced for future generations.

Q: What stands out to you in your experience as a woman in a leadership role?

A: Forestry is traditionally a male-dominated industry, and yet it’s certainly evolving. Many more events are happening that collaboratively bring together women who are working in wood or with forestry. It’s great to see young women beginning to explore these roles that were typically held by men, and to see career choices based on skills and who people are as individuals. It doesn’t need to be gender-based.

For myself as female leader, it’s a unique role. I stepped into the role as CEO as of January 2025. My counterpart in the United States started the year before I did. We are the first two female FSC leaders in our respective countries. Globally as an organization FSC is pretty even gender-wise, but for Canada and the US, it was a big deal because we always had male leadership in the past.

Q: Why do you love what you do at FSC?

A: The beauty of working for an organization like FSC is you’re constantly learning. You never get bored, ever. One day I’m talking about ecosystem services, verified impacts, and climate, and then the next day, I’m learning about cross-laminated timber, mass timber, and the evolution of wood products.

Getting to be part of a global team is also really neat. Our network is wide-reaching. I was just with my counterparts from Australia and New Zealand. They brought representatives from their Indigenous Working Group to Canada to meet with some members of the Indigenous Chamber [one of FSC Canada’s four governing chambers]. This exchange wouldn’t have happened on its own. Having that global lens shows how even between very different countries, with different contexts, sometimes things are very similar as well.

Q: What are some FSC projects you’re especially proud of?

A: We host an annual forest tour specifically for builders and architects, to educate them not just about where their wood comes from, but what goes into creating lumber. On a recent tour, we visited a saw mill in northern Ontario. They got to see all the steps from the forest where the tree was harvested to the sawmill where it was processed into a piece of lumber. Foresters also explained about soil conditions, waterways, pesticide use, talking to local communities about their development plans — important factors you don’t realize when you’re so far down the supply chain.

As a Formula One fan, I’m personally proud that we’ve had a partnership with Pirelli Tires for a few years now. Pirelli made a commitment to manufacture race car tires out of FSC-certified rubber from natural forests instead of synthetic materials. Most natural rubber is sourced from Southeast Asia, and as value chains are historically complex and difficult to track, the impact is felt most acutely at the local level. This puts at risk not only the ecosystems, but also the communities who typically own and manage these plantations.

A lot of these forests are family-owned, and making them sustainable and connecting them with buyers ensures the wealth gets passed on to future generations. Even in an industry that isn’t necessarily perceived as sustainable, one step can still mean a big difference.

Q: What’s giving you optimism in 2026?

A: We’re so used to doom and gloom in this space, so I’m happy to talk about a few things I see as rays of sunshine:

• Indigenous leadership and knowledge are really starting to reshape the future of forests in Canada. There are over 630 First Nations communities in Canada, and many overlap with forest areas. Many of these communities also overlap with where active forest management is happening. At FSC, our standard for responsible forestry includes the respect for Indigenous rights and we’re looking at how to integrate more traditional ecological knowledge with science-based information, such as better mitigation of forest fires — using brushing technique, for example — and restoration after a fire.

• Climate resilience is becoming more of a talking point compared to when I started in this field 20 years ago. Climate change was more like a warning back then, and we knew we needed to do something. Now people are really crying out for transformation. There’s better accountability on the company side for providing data about sustainability initiatives, and more pressure on organizations to contribute to meeting government commitments. In Canada, we have our goal to reach protection of 30% of land and water by 2030.

• Canada’s anti-greenwashing legislation is so significant because people are finally saying, “We want to see the proof of sustainable actions, and we want to know the verifiable impact.” FSC’s Verified Impact program pairs forest managers with businesses that help them access data to prove their positive impact from forests’ ecosystem services.

Q: What draws you to support TOCW?

A: When I walked into the room in October, I bumped into a few people I met 20 years ago. We started out as a small group, and now here we are in this huge room, surrounded by people who are aligned with the way we work and how we want to see the world evolve.

TOCW lets us see what others are doing and where different programs and projects can complement each other. We may be taking different laneways, but we’re all on the same path. Working collectively and collaboratively is how we make a bigger change at the end of the day, because we won’t be able to do it individually.

As someone said to me in October, it’s nice to have more company — it’s not just the same people from 20 years ago, in the same room, having tiny conversations.

🌍 Call for Nominations: The SustainabilityX® Magazine Global 50 Women In Sustainability Awards™

Now entering its 10th anniversary year, SustainabilityX® Magazine is inviting nominations for its Global 50 Women In Sustainability Awards™, a globally recognized initiative celebrating women whose leadership is advancing sustainable, just, and inclusive futures across sectors and regions.

Celebrating extraordinary women whose leadership is shaping sustainable, just, and inclusive futures — even in a world facing resistance and complex challenges — this year’s theme, “Leading in an Age of Resistance: Moving Forward in a World Moving Backwards,” honours women who drive impact across environmental stewardship, economic prosperity, social inclusion, and just governance.

From community advocates to corporate changemakers, these honourees showcase how courageous leadership is essential for progress today.

✨ Rolling Awards Model

In recognition of the diverse and ongoing nature of women’s leadership, the Awards operate on a rolling nominations model.

• Nominations received by August 31, 2026 will be considered for the 2026 Global 50 Women In Sustainability Awards™

• Nominations received after August 31, 2026 will automatically roll forward and be considered for the 2027 Awards cycle

This approach allows organizations, institutions, and communities to nominate outstanding women throughout the year, while ensuring thoughtful and rigorous review.

📌 Nominations are open globally and across all sectors — including business, academia, policy, science, engineering, finance, community leadership, and social innovation. Self-nominations are welcome.

🔗 Nominate a leader: https://forms.gle/H4JjCGGffYaXKcfcA

👉 Learn more: https://www.sustainabilityx.co/awards

Help amplify women who are shaping the future — not despite resistance, but because they lead through it.

🤝 Sponsor TOCW 2026 and become part of something greater

In 2025, we exceeded our goals by 5×. In 2026, we’re set to double last year’s attendance and scale the event even further — and your brand can be part of this momentum.

Sponsor TOCW and connect with leaders across business, policy, science, and culture who are driving real climate solutions. Together, we are positioning Toronto and Canada as globally recognized climate hubs.

What are the benefits?

• Unmatched Visibility — Gain premium brand exposure across TOCW’s platforms, touchpoints, events, and communications.

• Strategic Alignment — Strengthen your brand’s leadership in climate by supporting Canada’s fastest-growing climate event.

• Ecosystem Impact — Directly power 200+ events and activations, enabling the operations and partnerships that make them possible.

Two flagship events have already sold out of sponsorship opportunities. Don’t miss your chance to secure a spot — learn more and get involved here.
(Deadline: March 31)

❇️ Join our team

Volunteering for TOCW helps you build your skills, your network, and your impact. Every contribution counts, from professional expertise to simply a desire to get involved.

We’re currently looking for support across several areas, including Contracts, Community Outreach, Data Analyst, Personal Assistant, and Accountant/ Bookkeeper.

You can learn more about all open roles and apply here.

📅 Dates to note

• Next General Information Webinar — March 11, 2026; register on Luma

• Deadline for sponsorships and partnerships — March 31, 2026; submit your interest here

• Deadline to have events public on Luma with details finalized — May 15, 2026

With gratitude,

The TOCW Team

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This week, we’re sitting down with Adil Mukhi, a Grade 11 student and youth climate advocate, to talk about what it takes to create change as a young person. Adil’s journey shows us that meaningful action starts small — and that leadership and education can happen anywhere. As part of our expanded programming for 2026, TOCW is co-hosting a youth flagship event with Leading Change.

Plus the TOCW 2026 calendar is taking shape, and we want your event to be part of it. The events calendar will go live on March 2, with a submission deadline of May 15. Submit your event now to help shape a city-wide week of climate action, June 1–7, 2026.

Submit Your Event

Submitting events is now even easier

• New streamlined process means your event will automatically have a Luma event created in the TOCW calendar as soon as it’s approved.

• Events don’t need to be finalized to be submitted, but we recommend getting it on the calendar so other hosts can plan around it — and for more brand awareness.

• Our updated Host Resource Hub walks you through everything — what TOCW is, how to submit your event, and the tools to make it a success.

“We want to contribute”: Q&A with youth climate advocate Adil Mukhi

This week we talked with Adil Mukhi, a Grade 11 student at a northwest Toronto high school, about his work as a youth advocate, public speaker, and changemaker.

Q: What inspired you to become a youth advocate?

A: For me, it started pretty small. Rather than starting a school recycling system, which often exists as the bare minimum, in my school’s Eco Club we realized that so many markers were going to landfills. You can’t put markers in a normal recycling box; it’s not like they’ll get recycled there. So we partnered with TerraCycle, an organization that recycles hard-to-recycle trash, and we were able to save a lot of waste. Those little things do add up, like if every school had a system to recycle markers, we would save so many markers and stop them from going to landfills.

Over time, I saw that it’s genuinely powerful when young people are entrusted with responsibility. Youth advocacy isn’t having the answers, it’s trying to make that difference, caring enough to show up and make things a tad bit better.

Q: How else have you gotten involved in youth advocacy?

A: That feeling of being able to make a change is what kept me going and later on, I started exploring more creative aspects of advocacy, using art and written works to advocate. Mississauga had a story slam competition, and I had written a short story about the climate, a dystopian future where trees don’t exist — the regular dystopian sort of idea with my own twist to it. There were people listening to the story who were actually interested and I won first place. [Watch the video.]

The hope is that even through smaller acts of using creative expression, or just raising my voice and speaking up for something, someone else will start their own recycling program or get involved in their school community, or in events like Toronto Climate Week.

Q: In your opinion, what would motivate more students to get involved?

A: The good thing is, we do have clubs and students are able to lead through those clubs. But even then, a lot of activity is restricted by what the school allows. Cleanups can only be organized on school property, or they can only be done at specific times. We need a set amount of supervisors, and that’s really hard to get because the teachers are already super-busy. So a lot of the programs and supports don’t really exist for students who go outside of the system to create change.

Education isn’t just schools, to me at least — it’s everything we do in our lives. From the moment we’re born until the very end, we’re learning something. So education doesn’t have to happen in schools. We could organize an outside community event, host a cleanup or a conversation, like at TOCW. All of that should be a part of education and the government and the education system should be encouraging that. It would be great if schools could give small student grants, like $50–100, to organize activities like cleanups. That would cover advertising, running the event itself, and a social activity like a pizza party afterwards to help participants build up that community.

Q: What’s giving you optimism for 2026?

A: I’m seeing people realize there are communities and they’re joining them. When I was in Grade 9, I didn’t know about any of these communities. Now I’m a part of three or four, including a running club and the Eco Club. These are spaces where I feel like I belong and can contribute.

Climate conversations are happening, and they’re connected to issues that are happening in our cities and to the idea that climate change isn’t just an environmental issue. It’s a human issue and it’s going to affect all of us, if it hasn’t already. This sense of urgency is giving people more of a nudge to participate. Building connections and friendships through events like Toronto Climate Week, and other smaller communities as well, is what’s giving me optimism.

Q: What are you most looking forward to at Toronto Climate Week 2026?

A: I’m excited for more youth-based events and youth-led conversations. It would be great if schools could organize field trips to TOCW — I know that so many people from my school alone would go to an event like this.

I’m also looking forward to deeper collaborations with youth. There are so many areas where youth can lead, like organizing cleanup events, recycling programs, and creative competitions. Again, this is part of education. Whoever runs a program learns leadership skills, volunteer management, how to communicate better. These are soft skills that have value but aren’t always taught in the classroom.

Show your passion for green!

TOCW relies on volunteers who want to help establish Toronto — and Canada — as global climate hubs. Every contribution counts, from professional skills to simply a desire to get involved.

We’re currently looking for support across several areas, including Contracts, Community Outreach, Data Analyst, Personal Assistant, and Accountant/ Bookkeeper.

You can learn more about all open roles and apply here.

Dates to keep in mind

• Event calendar goes live — March 2, 2026; submit your event here

• Next General Information Webinar — March 11, 2026; register on Luma

• Deadline for sponsorships and partnerships — March 31, 2026; submit your interest here

• Deadline to have events public on Luma with details finalized — May 15, 2026

With gratitude,

The TOCW Team

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As Toronto Climate Week 2026 approaches, momentum is building across the city. More Info Session dates have been added, with the next session taking place this Wednesday, February 11, and March 2 marks the launch of the TOCW 2026 Events Calendar, opening registration for a city-wide week of climate action from June 1–7.

In this week’s Q&A, we spoke with Colin Guldimann, Senior Director in RBC’s Sustainable Finance Commercial Banking group, about what sustainable finance is and how it works in practice for mid-market Canadian businesses. Learn why companies seek sustainable finance support, the types of projects being financed, and why many businesses are focused on resilience and managing physical climate risks.

TOCW 2026 Host Resource Hub — now LIVE!

Hosting an event during Toronto Climate Week is a powerful way to showcase your climate leadership, expand your network, and amplify your impact.

The refreshed Host Resource Hub includes:

• Step-by-step guidance to submit your event

• Venue, vendor, and speaker directories

• Practical planning tips and best practices

Whether you’re hosting a panel, workshop, networking event, or creative activation, TOCW supports you in reaching new audiences and connecting with Toronto’s growing climate community.

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Curious about TOCW 2026?

Join our next Info Session — Wednesday, February 11 | 11:00–11:45 AM

Toronto Climate Week returns June 1–7, 2026, and our General Information Webinars are a great place to begin — especially if you’re still exploring ideas.

We’ll walk through:

• What Toronto Climate Week is and who it’s for

• Different ways to get involved

• How hosting works, key timelines, and available support

• Live Q&A with the TOCW team

Register today at Luma. You’ll receive a Google Meet invite, plus a recap email after the session.

Can’t make this one? Check our Events page for future dates and details.

How sustainable finance gets green projects done: Q&A with Colin Guldimann

This week we talked to Colin Guldimann, a Senior Director within RBC’s Sustainable Finance Commercial Banking group, about what sustainable finance is and how it works to finance projects that help businesses achieve their sustainability goals.

1. What is sustainable finance?

RBC has a stated ambition in our climate strategy to be the bank of choice for the transition to a low carbon and resilient economy. I work in the commercial banking part of RBC, where we focus on mid-market Canadian businesses at all stages of their sustainable journey across all sectors. We’re a team of experts in corporate sustainability: we speak the language of scope 1, 2, and 3, emissions; we understand IFRS, CSRD, and other reporting frameworks; and we help clients through the planning and business strategy activation of sustainability measures that are relevant to their businesses.

Clients come to us for a variety of reasons. Some are responding to regulatory requirements to cut carbon emissions. Others want to future-proof their businesses against physical climate risks. And others are clean tech companies developing new products that help other companies reduce their emissions.

As advisors, we meet clients where they are, providing bespoke, critical advice on sustainability topics. Through our partnership with Carbonhound, a startup in the carbon accounting space, clients have access to a calculation of their baseline emissions. Baselining is very challenging and a common barrier to getting started on building a climate strategy.

On the financing side, we offer sustainable finance products like Green Loans and Sustainability Linked Loans (SLLs) following the LMA, LSTA, and APLMA1 guidelines. For green loans, we verify that the activity the loan will finance is an Eligible Green Activity, such as installing solar panels, constructing an energy-efficient building, or developing an energy-efficient industrial process. SLLs are general corporate purposes financing, but the lending rate that the client is charged is tied to sustainability performance KPIs. These need to be material and ambitious targets for the client, and run a pretty broad swath of sustainability — energy efficiency, decarbonization, health and safety of employees, diversity. The client’s financing then becomes linked to performance against those KPIs via that SLL structure.

2. What are some client projects you’re especially proud of?

I’m really proud of our team for rolling up our sleeves on retrofits over the past year. We were able to finance a retrofit directly for an office building, where the client’s motivation was a tenant who really cared about sustainability and wanted to see the building retrofitted, and whose lease was coming up for renewal in a couple of years. We met with the client and asked, “What are you looking to do? How much do you need? How can we support you? What’s the innovative structure financially that we can bring to bear? Building retrofits can be extremely challenging projects economically, and it’s exciting to make them happen.

3. What’s giving you optimism in 2026?

While 2025 was a challenging year for climate action globally, we’re still seeing clients keeping climate action top of mind, trying to find ways to make investments that are sustainability related, and in some cases in new ways. We’re starting to see a lot more clients than we have historically taking those first steps, seeking corporate and government incentives that have become available, and looking at these projects as good financial sense.

Another thing I’m very optimistic about, specifically related to buildings, is the new focus on the industry-wide barriers for low-carbon buildings and what we need to do to unlock retrofits. I’m looking forward to more conversations about the valuation and value premium of low-carbon buildings.

4. What draws you to support Toronto Climate Week?

I was involved in the TOCW flagship event Building What’s Next on October 2, 2025 and really liked the quality of the conversation. The right people were in the room, especially on emerging topics like construction circularity and reuse of materials — areas where the real estate industry can do a lot better.

We need forums where we can talk about the toughest industry-wide sustainability topics and hear what other industries are focusing on, challenges they’re facing, how they’ve tackled them, so that we can learn from one another and apply these learnings. It’s so important for us to talk about how we adapt to and mitigate climate change across the different parts of our society. Toronto Climate Week does an excellent job casting that wide net and making sure topics and participants are the right mix to truly drive forward important impact.

5. Why do you love what you do?

As Canada’s largest bank, RBC takes its leadership position seriously. It excites me to think I can have a role in supporting Canadians and Canada in becoming more resilient to climate change. I love helping businesses take advantage of market shifts and the opportunities that new industries and clean tech will create, and to navigate the challenges and opportunities global climate action will present over time.

Be part of TOCW 2026!

We’re building a team of volunteers who want to help establish Toronto — and Canada — as global climate hubs. Every contribution counts, from professional skills to simply a desire to get involved.

We’re currently looking for support across several areas, including Finance, Social Media, Design, and Publicity.

You can learn more about all open roles and apply here.

Dates to keep in mind

• Deadline for sponsorships and partnerships — March 31, 2026

• Deadline to have events public on Luma with details finalized — May 15, 2026

With gratitude,

The TOCW Team

Join us on Tuesday, January 13 for our first general info session, and read on for what’s giving Lindsay Hampson, Founder of ThisRock and one of the first sponsors of TOCW, optimism for 2026 — plus more ways to get involved!

Info session: January 13, 12:00-12:45 p.m. EST

Get a head start on planning for TOCW 2026. Whether you’re curious about hosting an event, partnering, or attending, this session will give you everything you need to take the next step:

• What Toronto Climate Week is

• Looking back: 2025 achievements and events

• Looking forward: plans for 2026

• How to get involved

• Live Q&A with our Founder and Head of Operations

• Discussion recap emailed afterwards

Info sessions are held in a Google Meet format and open to anyone interested in getting involved. Register at lu.ma.

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From passion project to thriving business: Q&A with a sustainability consultant

This month we spoke with Lindsay Hampson, Founder of ThisRock, a sustainability consultancy headquartered in Hamilton, Ontario and one of the first TOCW sponsors. Lindsay and her team advise small and medium enterprises (SMEs) on ways they can positively impact their profitability while becoming more sustainable.

1. How does ThisRock help SMEs with their sustainability journey?

We help businesses write their very first environmental policy, gain their very first sustainability certification, calculate Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gasses. It’s been really fun, because these are the first steps in businesses becoming more sustainable. More than 90% of Canadian businesses are SMEs. They generally don’t have a sustainability person, so that’s where we can make the most impact.

2. What’s the origin story of ThisRock?

I started ThisRock in 2022. It was a passion project that grew out of doing my MBA. I was working in tech and had never done anything in climate before, but I wanted to figure out how to get more environmental. I’ve always been very outdoorsy, ever since I was a little kid.

I played with the idea and came up with positioning myself in between businesses and the challenges they face with becoming more sustainable — marrying my passion for the environment with the nerdiness of spreadsheets and my business mind.

In August 2022 we got our first client. Today we’ve worked with 56 businesses, in Canada and all over the world. It’s my full-time job; I have full-time staff. I’m so proud of what we’ve built, and I love owning this business.

3. Why “ThisRock”?

There is a lot of talk about how maybe we can just go to another planet… but no, we’ve got to stay on this rock. We need to take better care of it. It’s all we’ve got.

4. What projects are you especially proud of?

I’m proud of every single client we’ve worked with. That said, the clients I’m most proud of are the ones we’ve worked with for several years, where we can go beyond their energy bills to what’s in your bin? What can you stop buying? How can we lessen your impact?

I have a client that does industrial cleaning, for example, and now they use reusable microfiber cleaning cloths — they don’t just pitch cloths anymore. They’ve also purchased more efficient equipment to reduce water consumption and energy onsite when they’re cleaning.

Other clients have put huge fans in their warehouses that help regulate temperatures, so they need less AC in the summer or heat in the winter. Clients have installed new doors on their warehouses, so that they’re tighter sealed. I have another client that’s researching solar panels for their roof and another that switched over their fleet to electric.

5. What’s giving you optimism for 2026?

I’m happy that we’re still talking about climate, good or bad. I think even negative or controversial news gives me hope because it means climate didn’t get thrown to the back burner.

Second, many of the smartest brains out there are saying we already have the solutions, we already know what to do. So, if it’s a doing problem, then let’s do it. Let’s make 2026 the year.

Third, my business is growing — I just hired somebody three months ago again, and we just signed a bunch of American clients. Yes, some companies have hopped off the ESG train, but the ones that are on the train, they’re doubling down, including some of the largest brands in the world. If you supply to Nestle, Walmart, General Motors, Michelin, AstraZeneca — I could keep going — you have to earn certain certifications and you have to report on your emissions.

And the fourth piece of hope is my employees. I love supporting people early in their careers — showing them the basics of working with a client and setting up a project, empowering them on how to count greenhouse gas emissions, watching them grow with a client and suggest things that will make a difference. We have really smart people in this profession that we should all know and cherish. I’m just so proud of my team. They’re awesome.

Make a difference! Join the TOCW team

Want to join a team of volunteers who are as passionate about climate action as you? We’ve opened up two new roles:

• Accountant / Bookkeeper

• Brand Director

You can learn more about all open roles and apply here.

Dates to keep in mind

• Deadline for sponsorships and partnerships — March 31, 2026

• Deadline to submit events to lu.ma — May 15, 2026

With gratitude,

The TOCW Team

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With collaboration as one of our core values, it’s important that we recognize the hard work of our valued partner CSI.

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In this edition, we wrap up the TOCW Challenge. And in the spirit of sustainable, mindful gift-giving, we profile artist Micheline Wedderburn, whose upcycled designs dazzled on the runway at the Centre for Social Innovation’s Solarpunk Fashion Show.

TOCW Challenge results: Drumroll, please…

Between October 1 and November 15, hundreds of you signed up to cook climate-smart meals and took small, meaningful actions for the planet. By rethinking our food system and choosing recipes with ingredients lower in carbon emissions, we learned that the kitchen is one of the most powerful places to make an everyday impact.

With over 20 recipes to choose from, deliciously crafted by chefs from some of Toronto’s favourite local restaurants, our community collectively saved

• 895 kg of CO₂e

• 59,410 L of water

That’s the equivalent of taking 103 cars off the road for a day and conserving 300 bathtubs of water.

Fifty people also doubled their impact by claiming a Toronto Bike Share day pass.

Small changes, repeated across a community, can have a significant impact. Thank you again for being part of this effort and for making a difference together.

Don’t forget to grab and share the remaining recipes on the TOCW Challenge platform. They’re available for another week!

Going up, up, up: Q&A with fashion upcycler Micheline Wedderburn

This week we spoke with Micheline Wedderburn. A multidisciplinary artist, Micheline is one of five designers whose creations graced the runway at the Solarpunk Fashion Show at We Create Our Futures, CSI’s opening night celebration for TOCW on October 1.

1. Your debit card dress was a standout at the Solarpunk fashion show. What’s the story behind this unique piece?

Debit cards and gift cards are so replaceable and the plastic goes who knows where. So I thought a dress made of these cards was a bit of a statement and a good opening for the five-look collection I created for the show.

2. What draws you to upcycled fashion?

I remember the statistic from Value Village that each North American throws out 81 lbs of clothing a year. When you do a little research and realize with fast fashion how the quality has gone down, and how lot ends up third world countries where it’s resold or reused, it’s really heartbreaking. This stuff doesn’t degrade and we’re not using fabrics we can feel good about promoting.

I think I’m a stylish person, but I believe you can make your own style and that’s what really got me into upcycling. I wish more people felt this confidence when they’re buying clothes. You can take a traditional “men’s” blazer and put it under a sewing machine. You can sew a bunch of buttons together on a sleeve. There are lots of ways to be fashionable that allow you to be creative. Creativity allows you to take what already exists and give it new life.

3. Tell us about your emotional support stuffies.

My mother made dolls for my sister Liesl and me. We had a six-foot dark-skinned Raggedy Ann doll. As I got older, I started making dolls. I did a collection for a Fashion Art Toronto show at the Artist Project where I used eight little black girl dolls around the blazer. It reminded me how much comfort you can get from dolls even as a grownup. Dolls can make you feel less lonely.

Even before Labubu was a big thing, I had the idea of being able to carry something or a bag charm. I had all these scraps of fabric left over from fashion things I was cutting apart and I remember thinking I could probably make a doll, but maybe it’s more of a stuffy. So they’re all unique and they’re all taken from scraps — think a grandfather’s shirt that’s falling apart, a favourite skirt you no longer wear. The stuffing is repurposed from old pillows.

I wanted each emotional support stuffy to have its own emotional support stuffy. Even if they’re a big one, they have a little friend with them.

4. What’s the most meaningful gift you’ve ever received?

An iPad from my dad, which I wouldn’t I have bought myself. It has a simple program that I’m able to do so many things with. I’m still learning how amazing it is. I’m somebody who likes to paint, I like to watercolour. So this iPad is like walking around with all my tools. He had it especially engraved for me. I carry it with me, I treasure it.

5. Why do you love what you do?

I’ve always loved being artistic and creative. It was always an outlet and has allowed to feel more special and unique as I’ve gotten older. I find that lately it’s not even that I enjoy it, I feel like I need creativity, like it’s my therapy. Now I can be out somewhere, socially, and I’d rather be at home making something.

During lockdown, I started making miniatures. I competed in Season 2 of the CBC Gem show Best in Miniature, now on Netflix. Miniature making is a genre I didn’t realize I love doing. Even with my miniaturing, I use found objects. I pick up things on the road when I walk around. Nothing is 3D printed. I can’t tell you the amount of things I’ve found off the side of the road.

Follow Micheline’s artistic adventures on Instagram @meesh.to and @meeshminiatures.

TOCW 2026: Dates to keep in mind

• Deadline for sponsorships and partnerships — March 31, 2026

• Deadline to submit events to lu.ma — May 15, 2026

See you next year!!

With gratitude,
The TOCW Team

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Here’s a topline look at the impact you helped create

Who showed up? Toronto did! Not only did we have over 5,000 participants across 1,500 different organizations attend our events, 3,500 of them joined more than one event. It’s a clear sign that our event hosts delivered the kind of experiences and covered the types of climate related topics that our community was craving. From walk-and-talks to fashion shows, pitch competitions to deep-dive panel discussions, Toronto Climate Week offered something for everyone — exactly what we set out to do!

We partnered with incredible Canadian companies and individuals. It took a network of incredible, determined, and forward thinking organizations and changemakers to make it all happen. From sponsors and media partners to event hosts and venues, our 136 partner organizations helped bring every conversation, experience, and event to life, demonstrating that when purpose meets partnership, impact follows.

The headlines spoke for themselves. Major Canadian outlets including Toronto Star, CBC News, Global News, and Financial Post, were eager to understand and share what was happening at Toronto Climate Week. It wasn’t just about the volume of coverage (we were covered in 64 major outlets); it was validation that our collective effort was sparking national and local interest and inspiring more important conversations.

It’s worth mentioning that numbers are one thing, but what you can’t see in the numbers is the numerous connections, conversations, and inspiration that came out of those inaugural three days.

Can you imagine what June 2026 will be like?

Inside TOCW: Becky Park-Romanovsky sits down with Michelle Li for ESG News

When ESG News stopped by Toronto Climate Week they captured the energy of a movement in motion. In a newly released interview, ESG News correspondent Michelle Li sat down onsite with TOCW founder Becky Park-Romanovsky, to talk about what it really took to bring the city’s first-ever Climate Week to life.

From navigating the “Canada-first momentum” driving climate action to ensuring inclusion wasn’t just a talking point but a practice, Becky shares a behind-the-scenes look at how the week came together and what’s next for 2026.

You can check out the full interview here. Below are a few highlights from the interview:

On the question of why now, and why Toronto

Becky talked about there being “Canada-first momentum” right now, and yet the world often overlooks the scale of climate work already in motion here. She sees Toronto not just as a hub for tech and finance but as a global hub for climate solutions.

What was the hardest part about putting together TOCW?

“We basically built a startup in four months while also planning this huge event,” says Becky. She also called out putting processes together that would underpin the work that needed to be done as a key challenge.

A week that is inclusive by design

In the interview, Becky highlighted that, upon its inception, 50% of the volunteer task‐force was focused on outreach to grassroots, Indigenous, and BIPOC communities.

What made TOCW a success?

When asked what she’ll be most proud of, Becky didn’t point to speaker counts or headline sponsors, she pointed to her team: 40 dedicated volunteers powering a city-wide collaboration built by community.

We’re recruiting more volunteers! Here’s your chance to have an impact

Want to join a team of volunteers who are as passionate about climate action as you? We’ve opened up several new roles on the team across various functions, including Media & PR, Social Media, Data Strategy, Marketing, and People & Culture.

You can learn more and apply here.

TOCW Challenge: There’s still time to whip up your fave eco-dish

Psstt. There’s still time to submit your dish for the Toronto Climate Week Challenge!

October was a whirlwind month and we were so impressed by how many people participated in our food challenge powered by Zestyplan.

In case you missed it, during the month of October Toronto Climate Week teamed up with Zestyplan to turn inspiration into action! Participants were asked to cook at least one climate-smart meal during October. The recipes were provided by some of Toronto’s most beloved chefs, personalities, and brands. By joining the Challenge and cooking one of the recipes, participants were able to see the immediate, measurable impact of their choice.

Even though the Challenge officially wrapped at the end of October, there’s still time to enter your dish! We’ll be diving into the analytics during November, so you can sneak yours in.

From what we’ve seen so far, some of the most popular dishes that people are making include Impossible Alambre, Tofu Pad See Ew, Pan Fried Mediterranean Kabobs, and Potato and Rosemary Pizza with Caramelized Leeks.

Check out some of the amazing photos submitted by our community below (the’re making us hungry just looking at them!):

Stay tuned for Challenge results in the December edition of the TOCW newsletter!

With gratitude,
The TOCW Team

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That’s why we’re excited to be giving away Bike Share Toronto passes to the next 50 people who join the Toronto Climate Week Challenge, courtesy of our sponsor Scotiabank. By parking your car for the day and cooking a climate-smart meal, you’ll be reducing your carbon footprint by the equivalent of taking 4 cars off the road for a day and conserving 14 bathtubs of water.

When we reduce our food and transpiration emissions, we all win!

How to qualify

1. Sign up at the TOCW Challenge platform by Sunday, October 26.

2. The Challenge Team will reach out to confirm you’ve qualified and send your unique Bike Share code.

3. Ride a bike and cook your meal to have double the impact!

Bike share benefits

• Cheaper and faster than commuting

• No need to wait for a streetcar, bus, or subway

• Searching, and paying, for parking? Nope!

• Ride from A to B without having to lock anything up

How does the TOCW Challenge work?

The TOCW Challenge runs until October 31, a chance to drive change in your own kitchen.

• Sign up on the TOCW Challenge platform and choose a yummy climate-smart recipe from Toronto’s favorite chefs, restaurants, and creators.

• Cook your dish at home using your selected recipe.

• Upload a photo of your creation to see your climate impact and unlock rewards from sustainable brand partners — Crisper, Spent Goods Company, Nuts for Cheese, and Hot for Food.

Get your forks up!

Here are the four most popular recipes among the 20+ to choose from…

Follow TOCW on Instagram and LinkedIn for more about the Challenge, the chefs, and their tastebud-tantalizing dishes!

With gratitude,
The TOCW Team

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A spectacular benchmark as we plan the first week-long, annual version of Toronto Climate Week, June 1-7, 2026.

Read on for more 2025 highlights, plus:

• TOCW Challenge top recipes

• Join the TOCW team

• What’s next

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Teamwork made the GREEN work

A huge thank you to everyone who helped make TOCW happen, from our attendees to our hosts, sponsors, and partners. Toronto has made history as the first Canadian city to host a climate week of this scale. Thanks to your support, this is just the beginning.

Some more exciting numbers:

• Number of publications that covered TOCW: 64

• Number of partner organizations involved across media, event hosts, venues, and vendors: 136

• Number of days until Monday, June 1, 2026: 222

For 2026 we are aiming to double: 200 events, 10,000 attendees.

As we continue to parse the data, we’ll have more numbers and insights to share. We are also preparing a recap report. If you are considering sponsorship or interested in a partnership for TOCW 2026, we would be happy to share with you the full report. Please contact info@tocw.ca.

Early heads-up: The deadline for sponsorships and partnerships is March 31, 2026.

ICYMI Daily recaps:

• From ideas to action: Toronto Climate Week takes off

• From governance to grassroots: Toronto Climate Week Day 2

• From pitches to cleanups — how Day 3 closed Toronto Climate Week with impact

What was your favourite part of Toronto Climate Week? Let us know in the comments.

TOCW Challenge top recipes

Have you cooked your climate-smart dish yet? There’s still time — the TOCW Challenge runs until October 31.

These recipes are the most popular so far:

• Cauliflower Buffalo Wings by Lauren Toyota

• Whole Roasted Cauliflower with Cauliflower Leaf Slaw by Chef Leah Steduto

• Potato and Rosemary Pizza with Caramelized Leeks and Hot Maple Drizzle by Zestyplan

• Pan-Fried Mediterranean Kabobs by Chef Tanya Spasic

Joining is easy:

1. Sign up on the TOCW Challenge platform and choose a yummy climate-smart recipe from Toronto’s favorite chefs, restaurants, and creators.

2. Cook your dish at home using your selected recipe.

3. Upload a photo of your creation to see your climate impact and unlock rewards from sustainable brand partners — Crisper, Spent Goods Company, Nuts for Cheese, and Hot for Food.

Our goal is to get 10,000 people cooking for the planet and, together, reduce emissions by the same amount as taking 170 cars off the road for a month. Food is one of the easiest and most joyful ways to make a difference!

Join the TOCW team

Want to help make the green work? Volunteer for TOCW!

• Publicist / Media Support — The PR team is seeking someone to help manage media outreach, build awareness, and shape our public-facing presence.

• Data Analysis — We are looking for data analysts to help draw actionable insights from our website, event attendance, and social media data.

To apply for either role, please complete the volunteer interest form online.

What’s next?

The TOCW newsletter will be moving to a monthly schedule until spring. Look for a new edition landing in your inbox the first Wednesday of each month. Expect more Q&As with local changemakers across TOCW’s eight programming tracks: Agriculture & Food, Arts & Culture, Built Environment, Clean Tech & Innovation, Energy & Transportation, Investment & Finance, Natural World, and Policy & Environmental Justice.

We’ll also continue to share actions you can take, climate-focused books, and operational updates to help you prepare for June 2026 — especially if you’re planning to host an event!

With gratitude,
The TOCW Team

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After three incredible days of conversation, creativity, and climate inspiration at Toronto Climate Week, it’s time to take that energy home. The panels, keynotes, and community moments left us feeling hopeful.

And now, we’re inviting everyone to turn that inspiration into real, measurable action.

Cooking for change

On October 1, we launched The Toronto Climate Week Challenge — a city-wide movement to cook a climate-smart meal.

Our goal is to get 10,000 people cooking for the planet and, together, reduce emissions by the same amount as taking 170 cars off the road for a month. Food is one of the easiest and most joyful ways to make a difference. Every meal cooked with sustainability in mind can prevent as much CO2e as removing three cars from the road for a day, and save enough water to fill 14 bathtubs. Small changes, multiplied across a city, create big impact.

How to join

The Challenge runs October 1-31, 2025, with new updates, recipes, and chef features released throughout the month. Joining is easy:

1. Sign up on the TOCW Challenge platform and choose one of 20 climate-smart recipes from Toronto’s favorite chefs, restaurants, and creators.

2. Cook your dish at home using your selected recipe.

3. Upload a photo of your creation to see your climate impact and unlock rewards from sustainable brand partners — Crisper, Spent Goods Company, Nuts for Cheese, and Hot for Food.

Toronto Climate Week sparked the conversations — now it’s time to keep them going: in our kitchens, around our tables, and across our communities. Grab your apron, invite a friend, and join us in putting our forks up for the future.

Meet the chefs

We’ve teamed up with some of Toronto’s most talented and innovative chefs to make climate-smart cooking exciting, delicious, and easy to try at home. Each chef has created a dish that celebrates creativity, local ingredients, and plant-forward cooking:

• Lauren Toyota — Hot for Food

• Chef Nuit Regular — Kiin, PAI (Michelin recommended)

• Chef Tricia Soo — Soos, Fat Choi

• Chef Fernando Anrango — Avelo

• Chef Leah Steduto — Hawker

• Chef Abel Paez — Taqueria Vegana

• Chef Tanya Spasic — Animal Liberation Kitchen

• Priya Rao — The Social Herbivore

It’s easy to wonder if climate-conscious cooking means restriction. These chefs show that eating for the planet is all about reimagination, creativity, and joy in what we eat.

Why it matters

The numbers tell a powerful story:

• Nearly 70% of Torontonians want to eat less meat, but many struggle to make the change.

• We waste 30% of the food we bring home.

• 80% of agricultural land is used for animal production, which provides only 18% of the world’s calories.

Your kitchen is one of the most powerful places in your home to drive change. When we cook together — 10,000 people strong — we can make a tangible difference for the planet.

And that’s what Toronto Climate Week is all about!

Follow TOCW on Instagram for more about the Challenge, the chefs, and their tastebud-tantalizing dishes!

With gratitude,
The TOCW Team

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A morning of innovation and investment

The day began bright and early with the Ontario Clean Technology Industry Association’s pitch session breakfast. Over coffee and conversation, Series A and B companies shared their bold ideas with leading venture providers. The room was packed with investors, entrepreneurs, and innovators, signaling that Toronto is not only a hub for innovation but also for the investment needed to bring these solutions to scale.

At the same time, RiskThinking.ai hosted a dynamic hackathon, bringing together diverse teams to design solutions addressing the health impacts of a warming world. This theme continued at Sustainable by Design’s healthcare innovations showcase, where participants explored how resilience and adaptation can transform health systems under climate pressure.

Exploring climate through culture

Toronto Climate Week also highlighted the role of cultural institutions in shaping our understanding of the environment. At the Royal Ontario Museum, visitors joined curator of climate change Soren Brothers for a conversation on Crawford Lake: Layers in Time. This behind-the-scenes session showed the importance of geological records in telling the story of the Anthropocene and demonstrated how cultural spaces can make climate science accessible to all.

And communicating climate with confidence

One of the day’s most anticipated events was Communicating Climate with Confidence, Canada, at the Toronto Reference Library. This fast-paced session featured leaders including former Toronto Mayor David Miller, Re:Climate’s Amber Bennett, strategist Sarah Lazarovic, greenwashing expert Wren Montgomery, and journalists from The Narwhal, CBC, and Chatelaine. Together, they reminded us that how we communicate is just as important as what we communicate, because communication itself is climate action.

Grassroots connection and community was major

Beyond formal sessions, day three offered many opportunities to connect in intimate, community-driven spaces. From friendly networking at Climate Coffee Connect to the shared meal at Eddie Supper Club hosted by Patagonia Toronto, participants found inspiration in conversation and collaboration. Nelson Switzer’s book launch with PwC added fresh ideas to the mix, highlighting the importance of written thought leadership.

At the waterfront, the Toronto Zoo’s Guardians of the Shore cleanup brought participants out into the community to take tangible action. This hands-on initiative reminded everyone that small, local efforts ripple outward to create broader impact.

We are a city ready to lead

Throughout the week, one theme was clear: Toronto is positioned economically, geographically, and socially to lead in climate action. By bringing together policymakers, investors, innovators, and grassroots leaders, Toronto Climate Week showed that the city is ready to bridge the gap between top-down sustainability strategies and bottom-up community action.

Huge thank you to everyone involved

We extend our deepest thanks to our hosts, sponsors, and partners who made this inaugural Climate Week possible. Your support created a platform where big ideas, bold investments, and community connections came together. Toronto has made history as the first Canadian city to host a climate week of this scale, and this is just the beginning. Stay tuned for key takeaways, larger learning lessons and more excitement as we ramp up for June 2026.

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Day Two of Toronto Climate Week brought together people, ideas, and action. Across events, a few themes stood out: the power of bringing like-minded people together to build momentum, the interconnection of food, technology, and nature as pathways to sustainability, the complexities of governance in Canada, and, above all, the sense of hope and possibility that meaningful change is within reach.

Event highlights

Throughout the day, Toronto was alive with climate action in many forms. The digital release of The Global 50 Women in Sustainability Awards™ 2025, presented by SustainabilityX® Magazine, recognized 50 extraordinary women advancing sustainability worldwide — their leadership and resilience inspiring attendees to think boldly and act courageously.

Attendees then explored both history and future through immersive experiences. At the Royal Ontario Museum, curator Soren Brothers offered a behind-the-scenes conversation on the new Crawford Lake exhibition, Layers in Time, connecting Toronto’s local ecology to global climate stories. Meanwhile, EY Canada’s sold-out Four Futures experience transported participants to the year 2055 — presenting scenarios from business as usual to transformative change. The program bridged climate science with human impact, challenging participants to consider the future they want to create.

Sustainability also took a delicious turn at CSI Spadina with Eating for the Planet, a hands-on lunch that combined plant-based cooking with climate learning. From sliders to comfort food favorites, participants discovered firsthand how our food systems can be powerful tools for sustainability and community connection.

Hands-on learning and sustainable design were on full display with two standout tours. At George Brown College, participants explored the Limberlost Place to learn about innovative mass timber construction and the environmental potential of sustainable building techniques. Similarly, the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority’s new head office showcased cutting-edge environmentally responsible design, serving as a hub for collaboration while setting a benchmark for sustainable workplaces. Both tours demonstrated how thoughtful architecture can drive climate action while inspiring creativity and collaboration.

Technology and transportation solutions rounded out the afternoon. The Carbon Removal Forum convened leaders from CarbonRun, Heirloom, Planetary, and more to share insights on scaling carbon removal technologies, while FleetZero’s The Long Road to Zero Emissions offered lessons from two decades of decarbonizing transportation — highlighting both successes and ongoing challenges. Across panels and workshops, attendees left with concrete takeaways for advancing climate solutions at scale.

Turning inspiration into action: the Toronto Climate Week challenge

To cap off the day, the Toronto Climate Week Challenge launched, turning inspiration into measurable impact. Participants can sign up on the Challenge platform, pick a climate-smart recipe, cook it, and upload a photo to mark completion.

With 10,000 participants, the Challenge aims to prevent 64 tonnes of CO₂ emissions — equivalent to taking 170 cars off the road for October. Recipes curated by local chefs, authors, and Zestyplan are designed to be delicious, easy, and affordable, showing that sustainable choices can be simple, fun, and impactful. Registration opens October 1, and the Challenge runs through the month, letting participants see the collective impact of their actions in real time.

Toronto Climate Week day two reminded us that meaningful change comes from curiosity, collaboration, and courage — and that together, a more sustainable future is within our reach.

From action to ideas

From celebrating women leaders to exploring sustainable spaces, hands-on learning, and forward-thinking workshops, Day Two underscored that Toronto Climate Week is more than conversation — it’s connection, experimentation, and action. The city is alive with energy, and together, we are proving that building a better future is already underway.

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True North Rising, our sold-out opening ceremony, brought together a room full of like-minded people ready to share ideas, inspiration, and a commitment to action. The event began with a Traditional Indigenous Opening from Waabshkigan Shane Monague of Scared Earth, where attendees reflected on the impacts of colonialism on communities and the importance of reconciliation.

Speakers emphasized both the urgency of climate action and Toronto’s potential as a climate leader. Mayor Olivia Chow highlighted the stakes, noting that climate action is no longer a choice but a necessity. She reminded the audience that it is about more than saving the planet – it is about building a city where everyone can afford to live, thrive, and breathe cleaner air.

The Honourable Julie Dabrusin, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, reflected on the effects of climate change in Toronto, encouraging the audience to look beyond government solutions. She highlighted the city’s large tech sector as a key opportunity for Toronto to become a global climate hub, noting that Canada and its largest city are in a position to lead the way toward a new, sustainable landscape.

TOCW founder Becky Park-Romanovsky reinforced this message, inspiring attendees to see Toronto not only as a city ready to take action but as a model for global climate leadership. Michelle Li, founder of Clever Carbon, helped attendees understand their personal impact by calculating their own carbon footprints, reminding everyone that “what gets measured gets changed.”

The Fireside Chats & Keynote Speakers, moderated by Nelson Switzer, featured Peter McArthur, Rick Smith, and the Clean Tech & Innovation Panel, including Sanders Lazier, Elliott Cappell, Tom Rand, and Shirley Speakman. These sessions inspired attendees with actionable insights and practical advice. Rick Smith urged the audience to raise their voices in support of strong climate policy, stressing the importance of being clear and unwavering in advocacy. Peter McArthur highlighted opportunities in the clean technology sector, encouraging attendees to connect with those already driving change and to be bold in their efforts. Nelson Switzer added a sense of urgency, reminding everyone to move as quickly and decisively as the climate demands.

The Clean Tech & Innovation Panel tackled pressing questions about climate action and innovation while keeping the audience motivated. Shirley Speakman encouraged attendees to keep the faith, emphasizing that there are countless smart, dedicated people working on solutions. Tom Rand reflected on human potential, noting that we only discover what we’re capable of when we have to, underlining the necessity and inevitability of action. Sanders Lazier offered practical optimism, showing that progress is happening every day, even when it feels slow.

These are just some of the highlights from True North Rising. There were incredible speakers throughout the ceremony who shared amazing insights, and their work and contributions deserve recognition. The energy, ideas, and inspiration they brought set a hopeful and determined tone for the week, reminding attendees that meaningful change is possible when a city comes together.

City-wide events

Toronto Climate Week extended far beyond the University of Toronto Schwartz Weisman Innovation Campus. On Spadina, We Create Our Futures provided a vibrant space where climate justice met culture. Attendees experienced live DJ sets, open mic performances, a solarpunk fashion show, and interactive activities such as a sustainable market, clothing swaps, regenerative food tastings, and immersive art experiences.

For those who preferred the outdoors, a guided tour through Biidaasige Park led by Mark Sherman, Natural Environment Scientist with the City of Toronto, showcased the beauty of Toronto in fall while connecting participants with local ecology. Food enthusiasts attended an interactive talk hosted by Plant Based Treaty, exploring how our food choices can support climate action and food security.

Dancing into the future we imagine

The night’s programming included an open mic for Voices of the Earth, a stunning solarpunk fashion show with five visionary designers, and live sets by DJs Roxy Foxy, Cacaoboy, and Panpsyche that turned climate optimism into movement. An opening prayer performance by The Ancient Youth grounded the evening in reflection, while each installation invited attendees to model a sustainable future like we mean it.

A day for everyone

Day 1 demonstrated that Toronto Climate Week has something for everyone – from arts and culture to technology, sustainability, and food. It was a day filled with inspiration, learning, and action, highlighting the city’s creativity and dedication to climate solutions.

We are grateful to all sponsors, attendees, and volunteers who helped make the day a success. Rest up – Day 2 promises to be even more groundbreaking!

Today’s newsletter feature image is by photographer Emily Chae.