Geography Colloquium Series – Simon Donner


DATE
Tuesday January 28, 2025
TIME
12:30 PM - 2:00 PM

Speaker:
Dr. Simon Donner
Professor – UBC Geography, UBC Institute for Resources, Environment and Sustainability and UBC Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries
Co-chair – Canada’s Net-Zero Advisory Body

Talk title: Advising the federal government on climate and energy policy

Talk Abstract:
In this presentation, UBC Geography and Institute for Resources, Environment and Sustainability professor Dr. Simon Donner will share some lessons and perspectives about providing policy advice, based on his work as part of Canada’s Net-Zero Advisory Body (NZAB). The NZAB is mandated by legislation to provide the Minister of the Environment and Climate Change with independent advice with respect to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. Dr. Donner was appointed to the NZAB in 2021 and currently serves as the co-chair. 

Speaker Bio: 
Professor Donner is a climate scientist focused on helping the world prevent and prepare for climate change. His research program lies primarily at the intersection of climate change science, marine science, and policy. The specific research areas evolve over time in response to advances in climate change knowledge and to real-world events.  

Professor Donner spend a lot of time translating the science of climate change to different audiences in hopes of helping people make better decisions about the future. Prof Donner was a lead author on the most recent Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change assessment and serve as an appointed member of Canada’s Net-Zero Advisory Body, which advises the federal government on achieving net-zero emissions. 

This event will be hosted in Geog 229. Come early to enjoy refreshments!