Aaron Cosbey, Chair of the Commission: With over 30 years of experience in the field of sustainable development, Aaron is a development economist specializing in trade, investment, and climate change. He is a Senior Associate with IISD, a Senior Fellow with the European Roundtable on Climate Change and Sustainable Transition and a Senior Associate with the Intergovernmental Forum on Mining, Minerals, Metals and Sustainable Development (IGF).

Marisa Beck, Vice-Chair of the Commission: Marisa is the director of the clean growth research program at the Canadian Climate Institute. She has extensive experience conducting and managing research on climate and energy policy, clean growth, and evidence-based decision-making. She has worked in academia, with non-governmental organizations, and in the private sector. Marisa holds a PhD in global governance from the University of Waterloo, a master’s degree in environmental policy, and a graduate degree in business administration.

Michael Bernstein, Vice-Chair of the Commission: Michael Bernstein is the executive director of Clean Prosperity, a Canadian non-profit that works toward practical climate solutions that reduce emissions and grow the economy. He also co-founded Carbon Removal Canada, an initiative that advances policies to scale up Canada’s carbon removal sector, and chairs the organization’s advisory board. Michael is a member of the Canadian government’s Net-Zero Advisory Body and a member of the C.D. Howe Institute’s Energy Policy Council.

Bentley Allan: Bentley is an associate professor of political science at Johns Hopkins University and a research director at the Transition Accelerator. His research focuses on the political economy of decarbonization and industrial policy. He co-leads a project called Canada’s Future in a Net-Zero World that advocates for a green industrial strategy in Canada.

Chris Bataille: With 27 years of experience in energy and climate policy analysis, Chris is dedicated to helping Canada achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions. He is affiliated with institutions such as the Columbia University Center on Global Energy Policy and the Institute for Sustainable Development and International Relations. His expertise lies in decarbonization strategies for heavy industrial sectors.

Michael Mehling: Michael is the Deputy Director of the MIT Center for Energy and Environmental Policy Research and a Professor at the University of Strathclyde Law School. He is involved in multiple organizations focused on climate change and sustainable transition. With a legal background, he has extensive international experience in energy and climate policy.

Nancy Olewiler: Nancy is an economist and professor at Simon Fraser University. Her research areas include climate policy, natural resources, energy, and regulation. She serves on various boards related to climate and public policy, including the Mitigation Panel for the Canadian Climate Institute.

Rachel Samson: Rachel is the Vice President of Research at the Institute for Research on Public Policy. She has extensive experience in policy analysis and research, with previous roles at the Canadian Climate Institute, as a consultant for international organizations such as the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, and as an economist and executive in the federal public service. At the IRPP, she leads a team of researchers working on a range of public policy topics, including industrial policy, affordability, workforce transformation, and long-term care. 

Dave Sawyer: Dave is an environmental economist with a 30-year track record. He currently works as the principal economist at the Canadian Climate Institute and owns EnviroEconomics. His expertise includes positions held at Environment Canada and leading Canadian consultancies. He also teaches environmental economics at the University of Ottawa.

Debra Steger: Debra is an Emeritus Professor at the University of Ottawa Faculty of Law and a Senior Fellow at the Centre for International Governance Innovation. She has a background in international economic law and has held various positions related to trade and competition law. Her experience includes serving as the Director of the Appellate Body Secretariat of the World Trade Organization.

Barbara Zvan: Barbara is the President and CEO of University Pension Plan Ontario (UPP), renowned for championing secure pensions and exceptional service to its 39,000+ members while positioning UPP as the top pension choice for Ontario’s academia. Globally acclaimed for sustainable investing leadership and advocacy for defined benefit pensions, she holds influential roles on boards like the Responsible Investment Association, the advisory board of the Institute of Sustainable Finance at the Smith School of Business and chairs the Steering Committee of Climate Engagement Canada.