To succeed in a rapidly changing global economy, Canada needs to be ready—not just to reduce emissions, but to rethink and modernize the systems that power our economy and shape our daily lives. This course equips professionals in government, industry, and civil society with the tools and insights to lead this transformation.
Participants will explore how to analyze existing systems, design practical transition pathways, and act strategically to enable a more competitive, resilient, and net-zero future.
This course combines expert guidance with applied learning in a collaborative setting. You will engage in:
This course is designed for:
📅 Sessions held throughout the year–email us about course dates!
Module 1: Understanding the Challenge
Learn why reducing emissions alone isn’t enough—and what it takes to drive structural change across energy, industry, and infrastructure.
Module 2: Systems Change in Practice
Explore real-world examples of how systems evolve and what leaders can do to enable or accelerate that change.
Module 3: Building Strategic Pathways
Map out sequences of actions, identify key levers, and avoid dead-end solutions through structured, forward-looking strategies.
Case Study & Group Exercise
Work through a practical scenario to prioritize actions and develop an emissions reduction plan aligned with local opportunities and constraints.
Module 1: Understanding the Challenge
Learn why reducing emissions alone isn’t enough—and what it takes to drive structural change across energy, industry, and infrastructure.
Module 2: Systems Change in Practice
Explore real-world examples of how systems evolve and what leaders can do to enable or accelerate that change.
Module 3: Building Strategic Pathways
Map out sequences of actions, identify key levers, and avoid dead-end solutions through structured, forward-looking strategies.
Case Study & Group Exercise
Work through a practical scenario to prioritize actions and develop an emissions reduction plan aligned with local opportunities and constraints.
James Meadowcroft, PhD, is a professor at the School of Public Policy and Administration at Carleton University where he has held a Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in Governance for Sustainable Development. His recent work focuses on energy and the transition to a low-carbon society, including publications on carbon capture and storage (CCS), smart grids, the development of Ontario’s electricity system, the politics of socio-technical transitions and negative carbon emissions.
Stephen Hill, PhD, is an Associate Professor at the School of the Environment at Trent University. His research focuses on environmental and renewable energy management and policy in Canada. He is working to understand the nature of controversy and conflict surrounding renewable energy technologies (supported by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council).
