Sonia Labatt: Environmental Finance Trailblazer and Author

Join the School of the Environment and the Rotman School of Management for an event celebrating the work of Sonia Labatt and her important contributions to environmental finance.

The event will be held in a hybrid format. Join us in-person in Room L1010 of the Rotman School of Management (University of Toronto, 105 St. George St., Toronto, Ontario M5S 3E6) or virtually over Zoom on Thursday, May 25, 2023 from 4:00 p.m to 5:30 p.m EST.

Virtual attendance of the event is unlimited and in-person attendance to the event is limited. Register now to attend the event.

Event Schedule

4:00 pm - 4:15 pm | Opening Remarks 

Welcome and reflection on Sonia Labatt’s important role in the formation of the University’s School of the Environment and contributions to environmental finance leadership at the School of the Environment and Rotman School of Management. Presented by Dr. Steve Easterbrook, Director of the School of the Environment.

4:15 pm - 5:00 pm | Panel Discussion

45-minute panel discussion moderated by Susan McGeachie, Head of BMO Climate Institute, Adjunct Professor at the University of Toronto. The event, will focus on the legacy and ongoing relevance of Dr. Labatt’s work, with a particular focus on the importance and use of carbon finance. Panelists will discuss the impact of the seminal book, “Carbon Finance, the Financial Implications of Climate Change” co-authored by Sonia Labatt and Rodney White.

The panel features Martin Whittaker, Founding CEO of JUST Capital (New York); Rod Lohin, Executive Director, Lee-Chin Institute, Rotman School of Mgmt.; and Patricia Koval, Corporate Director, Retired Partner, Torys LLP.

5:00 pm - 5:30 pm | Audience Q&A Period

In addition to addressing general audience questions, attending students/former students who have engaged in the University’s environmental finance programs/courses (both previous and current) will be invited to participate through questions and brief comments, particularly as to how the concepts of carbon finance have influenced their current careers and opened up other engagement opportunities.

5:30 pm - 6:00 pm | Light Refreshments and Closing 

Closing remarks by Dr. Steve Easterbrook, Director of the School of the Environment. Light refreshments and networking for in-person attendees to follow.