Welcome to 2024—or T minus 6. 2030, a critical milestone in the fight against climate change is now clearly in view. And yet the world is not on track for where it needs to be. Read more

Long overshadowed by discussions on renewable energy and emissions reduction, the restoration, conservation, and protection of biodiversity has emerged as a central pillar in the fight against global warming. The adoption of the far-reaching Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework to address biodiversity loss, restore ecosystems and protect indigenous rights at COP15 in Montreal marked an important step. Watch

In some circles, it’s become acceptable to give up on the 1.5°C target as too hard. This is pitiful—especially when we have the solutions. The world can’t afford more foot-dragging and excuses. Instead, we need to win the race to net zero and stop talking ourselves out of even stepping onto the track. Read more

This summer scorched the Earth, breaking heat records globally and setting off wildfires that choked North American cities. And Suncor chief executive officer Rich Kruger? He chose this moment to announce that his company will double down on oil sands production and sideline its renewables strategy. Read more

Here in Canada, oil and gas companies, the single largest source of greenhouse gas emissions, need to step up and take meaningful climate action now. Read more

Women are leading the climate revolution. At COP27, speakers should cede time to hear what they have to say, write Catherine McKenna, Amy Myers Jaffe

The report was presented during a special session with the UN Secretary-General at COP27 in Sharm El-Sheikh. Watch a recording of the event and read the report. For media inquiries please email: hlegmedia@gsccnetwork.org

World leaders are gathering in Egypt for the United Nations' annual climate summit, known as COP27. Catherine McKenna is Canada's former minister of environment and climate change and the chair of an expert panel called on by the U.N. secretary general to set clear standards and criteria to get to net-zero emissions. Watch here

October 2022

At this critical moment, the Columbia Centre on Global Energy Policy convened to discuss the most urgent challenges across the globe with the foremost experts, leaders, and visionaries in energy geopolitics and the energy transition. Watch the conversation between Mary Nichols, Catherine McKenna and Brian Anderson. Begins at 6h:12m

September 2022

Catherine McKenna, chair of the UN High-Level Expert Group, calls for governments and private companies to come together in the fight against climate change at the Earthshot Prize Innovation Summit. She speaks with Bloomberg's Carol Massar and Tim Stenovec.

July 2022

In an interview with the chair of the Expert Group, Catherine McKenna, the former Canadian Minister for the Environment and Climate Change, we look at why it is critical to improve the credibility and accountability of net-zero commitments among non-state entities.

In collaboration with the City of Miami Beach and a diverse group of partner institutions in and beyond South Florida, the Aspen Institute hosted global and local policymakers, scientific experts, corporate leaders, inventors and innovators, artists, young leaders, influencers, and engaged members of the public to participate in Aspen Ideas: Climate. Watch the conversation between Catherine McKenna and Fred Group (6h:12m)

March 2022

The first event in the new Columbia Climate School Speaker Series took place on March 3 and featured Catherine McKenna, former Canadian Minister of Environment and Climate Change and current Distinguished Visiting Fellow with Columbia’s Center on Global Energy Policy. During the event, McKenna shared some remarks and participated in a Q&A moderated by Climate School Founding Dean Alex Halliday.

February 2022

In this episode, Gerald Butts and Catherine McKenna discuss their experiences passing a carbon tax in Canada, as advisor to prime minister Justin Trudeau and minister of the environment respectively. In particular, we focus on a key feature of the Canadian tax: all the revenue collected goes back to the province from which it was collected, mostly as per-capita dividends. Butts and McKenna believe that feature was central to selling the public on the policy.