Roadmapping the Clean Energy Transition: The University of Toronto-Northwestern Decarbonization Alliance Launch Conference

The Northwestern Roberta Buffett Institute for Global Affairs and Northwestern Paula M. Trienens Institute for Sustainability and Energy hosted a series of keynote presentations from leading faculty at Northwestern University and the University of Toronto. These events marked the launch of the University of Toronto-Northwestern Decarbonization Alliance (TNDA), an innovation hub that aims to catalyze research and dialogue on progressive decarbonization—efforts to reduce and ultimately eliminate carbon dioxide emissions from energy generation to prevent further global warming.

Northwestern University and the University of Toronto are global leaders in sustainability, driving innovation across sectors while reducing the environmental impact of energy, materials and chemicals to further progress towards the global net-zero emissions target. By establishing this alliance, Northwestern and the University of Toronto are pooling their strengths and resources to contribute to decarbonization efforts. Achieving decarbonization will require all aspects of the economy to change, from how energy is produced to how goods are manufactured to how lands are managed. The University of Toronto-Northwestern Decarbonization Alliance will foster interdisciplinary dialogue spanning the social sciences, humanities, physical sciences and engineering to generate joint research. Learn more about the launch of this new Global Social Innovation Hub >>

Day 1 Keynotes

How the Energy Humanities Can Help Us With Energy Transition: Representing and Communicating Energy
Imre Szeman, Director of the Institute for Environment, Conservation and Sustainability and Professor of Human Geography, University of Toronto Scarborough

Bending the Arc of Climate Change and Climate Solutions Towards Justice: Ideas for How Science Can Advance Climate Justice
Kimberly Marion Suiseeya, Associate Professor of Political Science, Faculty Affiliate at the Center for Native American and Indigenous Research, Northwestern University

Day 2 Keynotes

Transformative Potential for Urban Energy Transitions: Lessons from Los Angeles
Patricia (Paty) Romero-Lankao, Canada Excellence Research Chair, University of Toronto Scarborough

Routes to Generating and Deploying Hydrogen for Energy in a Decarbonized Future
Sossina Haile, Professor of Materials Science and Engineering, Northwestern University