For Mickey Gilchrist, the economic reality of climate change is already upon us.
鈥淎s a society, we need to transition now,鈥� says Gilchrist, a graduate student in the School for Resource and Environmental Studies (SRES). 鈥淭hat means seizing opportunity by designing new business models and investing in new ways of doing business 鈥� sustainably.鈥�
鈥淭o do so, both government and business 鈥� large and small 鈥� need the kinds of solid research-driven data to generate sound decisions and encourage innovation in climate-smart projects, products and services,鈥� adds the Ottawa native, who鈥檚 graduating this spring with his Master of Environmental Studies (MES).
And thanks to the new Sustainability Program and Bursary, Gilchrist is helping build this new knowledge.
Funding research into sustainable investment
As part of its generous five-year gift to SRES, Addenda funds research grants that examine the link between climate change considerations and investment in sustainable businesses. With matching financial support from MITACS 鈥� a national, not-for-profit organization that partners with industry and universities to support research-based innovation 鈥� top graduate students like Gilchrist can focus full-time on their topics of choice.
For Gilchrist (left), who brings a background in economics and banking to the project, the first step is identifying current knowledge gaps in sustainable financing and investment. 鈥淚t鈥檚 like building a foundation,鈥� he explains. 鈥淲e need to figure out what questions have already been answered, which ones haven鈥檛 and what we need to know to move the discussion forward.鈥�
With the results of this in-depth literature review, Gilchrist will narrow his focus to between five and 10 research areas of greatest impact for addressing and adapting to climate change through sustainable investment. 鈥淯ltimately, I want to pinpoint the most salient environmental, social and governance issues 鈥� and opportunities 鈥� for those involved in sustainable investment,鈥� he says.
Besides informing Addenda鈥檚 ongoing research priorities, Gilchrist鈥檚 work will feed into and support an upcoming SRES 鈥渃luster鈥� funding application to MITACS, covering a number of different projects relating to financial and policy implications of climate change.
鈥淥ver the next five years, the Addenda/MITACS research will help generate the kind and quality of data that can shape public policy, leading to better-informed decisions on what initiatives to support, subsidize and otherwise encourage,鈥� says Michelle Adams, interim director of SRES.
Ten years ago, for example, the Nova Scotia government made the strategic decision to invest in energy efficiency. 鈥淭hat one shift in public policy resulted in thousands of new jobs and dozens of new companies to meet the demand for auditors, installers and suppliers of products and services,鈥� says Adams. 鈥淎nd every new business development represents an investment opportunity.鈥�
Supports for students studying sustainability
For Addenda Capital, sustainable investment practices already underpin the investment management firm鈥檚 decision making.
鈥淎s a company, we know our commitment to sustainability makes us better investors by integrating environmental, social and governance factors into investment decisions,鈥� says Michel Jalbert, executive vice-president, business development & client partnerships. 鈥淲hile the work of capable, dedicated scholars like Mickey Gilchrist will inform our own research, the new knowledge generated by the Addenda partnership with 麻豆传媒 will ultimately help build a more sustainable financial market.鈥�
The Addenda gift also provides bursary support for SRES students. This year, two scholars shared the inaugural award: Victoria Sandre, whose work focuses on the enabling factors for clean energy transition, particularly at the community level, and Eamonn McGuinty, who鈥檚 interested in impact investing and sustainable international development.
So what鈥檚 next for Mickey Gilchrist? A mortgage specialist with National Bank since 2010, he鈥檚 ready now to explore the investment side of the business.
鈥淲ith my banking and client experience and now the sustainable investing knowledge, I鈥檇 like to blend these strengths into either a face-to-face or a research role to help clients 鈥� and Canadians 鈥� navigate the challenges and opportunities of climate change.鈥�