At the same time, the climate emergency is entering a new and even more dangerous phase as global heating accelerates, sparking mass migration, devastating floods and wildfires, and large-scale die-offs in the ocean.

Meanwhile, money is streaming into renewables and clean technology at a record pace. Last year, global investment in the energy transition passed $2 trillion for the first time, and green funds are soaring. Climate lawsuits are increasing in number and racking up wins, climate risk reporting is becoming more entrenched around the world, and electric vehicle adoption is racing forward in many countries.

How is the next generation of climate leaders responding to these developments?

We sent a survey to young sustainability leaders whose work and dedication has earned them a spot on our annual 30 Under 30 ranking. This list of emerging changemakers is now in its 11th edition, so while not all those surveyed are under 30, they are all millennials or Gen Z. Broadly, we think of them as influential pathfinders in the youth movement for a cleaner economy and a healthier planet.

We make hope through our actions. Hope is a verb, not a noun, and we create it with every step we take towards a better future.

– Dana Decent, director of climate and health at the Definity Foundation

We wanted to know how they are thinking about the future of climate action in Canada. Sixteen people responded to the survey. Here’s what they said.

What levers are most effective for change?

Nine of the 16 felt that policy and politics are the most effective lever for change, followed by science and innovation (3), markets (2) and arts and culture (1). None picked litigation.

“We know that policy/politics is the only arena for real change at scale; it is the way to shift markets and enact broad-scale, multi-sectoral change,” writes Gareth Gransaull, a non-profit leader in Toronto and one of last year’s 30 Under 30 honourees. “There is no single institution besides the nation-state with the power to manage large-scale societal transitions.”

“We can’t give up on the political arena just because it has become more challenging,” Gransaull argues. “We just need to get serious about how to mobilize real grassroots movements to shift the Overton window, influence partisan politics and recapture real democratic control of the government.”

“We need multiple levers acting together, and to think one is more important than others is incorrect,” writes Dana Decent, director of climate and health at the Definity Foundation in Halifax, Nova Scotia, who made the list in 2016. “Alternative levers that are important to reduce emissions and adapt, such as building power in social movements, shifting values and mindsets, or building alternative economies that focus on people and planet.”

Canada’s climate leadership

These sustainability torchbearers say that Canada is seriously dropping the ball on climate. When asked how they would rate Canada’s climate leadership out of 10, more than half picked 5 or 6. The average rating was 4.6.

“Canada has made important commitments and investments toward net-zero, but the pace of action doesn’t yet match the urgency of the crisis,” writes Smiely Khurana, founder of The Sustainable Act and Climate Wellness Network, who was one of 2024’s 30 Under 30 picks. “There’s strong innovation and leadership at local and grassroots levels, but federal and provincial policies still too often prioritize short-term economic interests over long-term planetary health.”

“The current path of abandoning reduction targets in favour of intensity targets and pursuing an energy-superpower approach in international trade can hardly be described as climate leadership,” writes David Klar, a 2018 honouree. “It ignores major developments south of the border, namely the creation of the National Energy Dominance Council . . . By the time Canada’s proposed fossil fuel infrastructure build-out is complete, the U.S. nuclear power sector will likely have significant cost, national security and climate advantages.”

What’s not working?

Sustainability advocates everywhere are reevaluating their strategies. We asked respondents what aspect of the climate movement isn’t working or needs to change.

Tyler De Sousa, a 2023 honouree and the co-founder of Circulr, writes that we need to get past “focusing on climate purity, or the idea that we cannot work with those who don’t fully embrace our beliefs about climate or sustainability.”

Julien O. Beaulieu, a doctoral researcher in the United Kingdom who made the list in 2023 and who served as a judge in this year’s ranking, writes, “We need to stop speaking to the people who are already convinced and focus on the reasons that make opponents and skeptics doubt.”

What’s giving you hope?

We asked respondents what gives them the most hope for the future of the climate movement in Canada.

De Sousa is energized by the increasing interest in electric vehicles and the circular economy. Beaulieu finds hope in the “relentless mobilization from individuals in all spheres who keep doing the hard work.” For Hawa Mariam Keita, a 2021 honouree, hope lies in international cooperation and policies implementation. One anonymous respondent pointed to the election of a growing number of climate-aligned MPs in the latest Parliament.

“Canadians care about the environment and we’ve made monumental progress,” writes Kurtis Layden, a 2022 honouree who is now the director of policy for the minister of fisheries.

“The growing focus on climate wellness, community connection and collaboration across disciplines gives me hope,” Khurana writes. “Seeing more young people, artists and BIPOC leaders bringing creativity, empathy and storytelling into the climate space shows that this movement is evolving into something more holistic, human and resilient.”

“The next generation of Canadian climate founders are incredibly technical, impact-driven and globally ambitious,” writes Leah Perry, a senior associate for the Innovation Fund at Wittington Ventures in Toronto, who made the 30 Under 30 list in 2022. “They’re building companies that prove climate solutions can scale and can compete internationally.”

“I find hope in uncertainty. Outcomes don’t look good, and I fear climate impacts will worsen before we change for the better. But we don’t know for sure what will happen and there is hope in that space,” Decent writes. “We also make hope through our actions. Hope is a verb, not a noun, and we create it with every step we take towards a better future.”

The post How young sustainability leaders see the future of the climate movement appeared first on Corporate Knights.

Leah Gotkin

28, Toronto, ON
Senior manager, climate change – Scotiabank

Leah Gotkin began her career promoting electric vehicle adoption in Canada, then advanced sustainability strategies at Upswing Solutions, with an emphasis on equity and Indigenous engagement. Now at Scotiabank, she drives the bank’s $350-billion climate-finance initiative and supports decarbonization across high-emission sectors.

 

"My courage comes from a belief that climate action can unlock shared value. Everyone has a ‘why,’ and the beauty of working in climate is that competing ‘whys’ can co-exist."

Marissa Louie

25, Toronto, ON
Associate manager, climate reporting – TD Bank Group

Marissa Louie has helped TD Bank Group strengthen its ESG disclosures and has been instrumental in shaping communication around its plan to achieve net-zero by 2050. She led a rigorous review of external disclosure practices to help ensure credible climate-reporting in alignment with regulatory and stakeholder expectations and acted as a lead writer for its the TD and Indigenous Communities in Canada report.

"Sustainability reporting can be a catalyst for change. It’s not just about producing reports – it’s about connecting ambitions, promoting transparency and accountability, and integrating sustainability into business-as-usual."

Samita Rimal

27, Halifax, NS
Specialist, energy transition – Eastward Energy

Samita Rimal became Nepal’s only female graduate of hydropower mechanical engineering in 2019. Today, she leads Nova Scotia’s first green-hydrogen production and blending project. She has also co-founded the Student Energy chapter in Newfoundland.

“Growing up in Nepal’s energy poverty and now leading energy transition projects in Canada, I’ve learned that true progress comes from the courage to question, learn, unlearn and relearn.”

Adrien Roy

29, Toronto, ON
Manager – Quinn and Partners

Adrien Roy has completed more than 60 climate projects focused on baselining greenhouse gas emissions, modelling decarbonization pathways, and building net-zero transition plans and strategies. He has helped set six science-based net-zero targets covering 1.5 million tonnes of GHGs.

“In 2025, the climate battle is shifting from developing new solutions towards implementing existing solutions at scale. It’s become clear that no single person, company or technology will solve the climate crisis independently. The courage needed to win this battle is therefore rooted in collaboration.”

 

Armaan Makhani-Kotadia

22, Waterloo, ON
Youth climate educator and planetary health researcher – McMaster University | The Canadian Coalition for Green Health Care | TEDx

At McMaster University, Armaan Makhani-Kotadia has contributed to a campaign to reduce plastic water bottles on campus and install more water refill stations, and he co-founded a fund that awards marginalized students for sustainability initiatives. He is also part of the Canadian Coalition for Green Health Care, contributing to national networking hubs and training resources to address greenhouse gas emissions from healthcare buildings.

“My courage is guiding me to weave together health, equity and climate action – threads too often kept apart. I bring the skill of transforming climate anxiety into agency, helping young people step into their own power as leaders rather than bystanders.”

Annabelle Liao

24, Vancouver, BC
Project lead | founder and director — Kambo energy group | Project Arrowroot

Annabelle Liao has held roles in cleantech at Foresight Canada, climate finance at Vancity, and community wealth building at Social Innovation Canada. Beyond that, she’s volunteered in grassroots and international organizations advancing global climate action and led a team at ClimaTalk that created resources to de-jargonize international climate negotiations. She also founded and is the director of Project Arrowroot, an NGO funded by the Canada Service Corps and Re-Earth Initiative that paves paths to green careers for young people.

“I place my hope in the 95% of young people around the world who are worried about the impacts of climate change and the 85% of Canadian high school students who want more climate education.”

Sehjal Bhargava

28, Saskatoon, SK
Family medicine physician – University of Ottawa, Harvard University

Sehjal Bhargava’s passion for affecting the social determinants of health has led to a focus on climate change and its impacts on health. She has served as Saskatchewan chair and is currently Ontario co-chair of the Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment. In 2021, she launched PaRx, a program that encourages Saskatchewan physicians to prescribe time in nature to improve patients’ health.

“As a physician, I firmly believe that we are only as healthy as our environment. I am driven by experiences to look outside of the clinic and toward policies that focus on improving the health of people and the planet.”

 

Ali Tapaquon

29, Oskana kâ-asastêki, SK
Principal and founder – Tatâga Inc.

Ali Tapaquon is founder and CEO of Tatâga Inc., a consultancy that integrates traditional ecological knowledge with modern strategy to advance environmental, social and cultural sustainability. Tapaquon developed the Reconciliation Assessment Report – a tool that helps organizations operationalize sustainability through Indigenous rights, knowledge systems and anti-racism.

“My sôhkitêhêwin (courage) comes from the teachings of my culture and Peoples. Our ways are rooted in responsibility and stewardship for the land, waters and skies. I intentionally practise Indigenous strategy to guide organizations in seeing climate action not as a technical fix, but as a relational duty to future generations and to themselves.”

Yazan Zamel

25, Toronto, ON
President – Sustainable Engineer Association 

As an energy-efficiency consultant, energy analyst and now guided projects coordinator at Student Energy, Yazan Zamel champions net-zero energy projects in low-income communities. He has coordinated more than a dozen solar installations in underserved areas, reducing diesel reliance. He is president of the Sustainable Engineers Association at the University of Toronto and founder of the Ray of Hope program that connects refugees and youth with education and jobs.

“I find hope in young people realizing that their voices matter and in communities lighting up with renewable power, which is proof that climate justice is possible when we act together.”

 

Zeina Seaifan

25, Montreal, QC
Scholar-activist – McGill University | Shake Up the Establishment

Zeina Seaifan is a scholar-activist pursuing a PhD at McGill University, researching migration and environmental justice. She now leads the policy committee at Climate Sirens, a feminist climate-justice organization where she mentors 12 women in climate advocacy, and volunteers at Shake Up the Establishment. Seaifan has led national environmental consultations, co-authored policy reports and created accessible educational tools for youth and newcomers.

“Worldwide, climate devastation is informed by the twin flames of colonialism and extraction. We’re advocating for sustainable systems rooted in Indigenous perspectives and other overlooked knowledges.”

Andrea Kilibarda

26, Montreal, QC
 Co-founder, head of client delivery and impact – Climate Finance Advisors

Andrea Kilibarda co-founded a climate-finance advisory firm based in Montreal. To date, her firm has supported the sustainable alignment of approximately $3 billion in assets on behalf of asset owners, collectively targeting a reduction of approximately 500,000 tonnes of financed carbon-dioxide-equivalent emissions by 2050. She has also worked with developing countries on plans to align finance with sustainability and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

“We are facing the greatest financial challenge of our time: closing the $7.4-trillion annual climate finance gap. I find hope in the growing movement of purpose-driven leaders building a new investment paradigm that reimagines capital as a force for good.”

Rasul Huseynzade

20, Vancouver, BC
Youth ambassador, sustainability champion, policy adviser and human rights advocate – Jane Goodall Institute – Roots & Shoots

A former UN Development Programme champion and UNICEF youth advocate, Rasul Huseynzade has co-founded various youth-led organizations, including The Children’s Union, a regional Fridays for Future and Youth for Climate Turkiye. He currently serves as a youth adviser to the Jane Goodall Institute, Aga Khan Foundation, It Gets Better Canada and The King’s Trust Canada. He is also a climate ambassador for the World Bank Group.

“I had to go through many difficulties, but I feel like this journey shaped me in every way, because it taught me to be a team, it showed me that change doesn’t come easy and it doesn’t just happen; it made me realize that change is a process.”

Astrid Wilson

27, Bella Bella, B.C.
Economic development coordinator – Heiltsuk Economic Development Corporation

Astrid Wilson is intimately involved in supporting sustainable, culturally grounded economic development in her home community of the Heiltsuk Nation, on the central coast of British Columbia. In 2022, she helped organize the Commission for Environmental Cooperation’s Joint Public Advisory Committee gathering, in Victoria, ensuring that Indigenous voices and perspectives were meaningfully included in international environmental dialogues.

Kiemia Rezagian

28, Windsor, on
Engagement and training director – Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment

Kiemia Rezagian has designed and run an advocacy and mobilization program for physicians, spearheaded by the Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment. The program aims to empower physicians to increase their involvement in climate crisis advocacy. To date, it has trained some 150 health professionals, and its success is based in large measure on Rezagian’s leadership.

“Doctors see every day how unhealthy environments lead to sickness and even death. I’m helping them tell these stories so more people see what is at stake.”

 

Paris Liu

24, London, ONTARIO
Master’s student in environmental policy at Sciences Po; former climate change project assistant at ICLEI Canada – Sciences Po 

Paris Liu co-developed McMaster University’s first climate change civil engineering course and co-founded a national working group through the Canadian Federation of Engineering Students to embed climate education into engineering curricula across Canada. She spearheaded zero-waste programs at McMaster, including Coffee to Compost, diverting more than 270 kilograms of waste from landfill, and co-founded Students for Bike Share, a campaign to secure discounted bike share passes for undergrads.

“I am especially passionate about exploring how low-carbon, resilient solutions can tackle both the climate and housing crises, particularly in post-disaster contexts.”

Sarah Machane

29, Montreal, QC
Innovation lead – CASCADES

Sarah Machane works to embed sustainability into the everyday practices of healthcare providers. Through her role with CASCADES (Creating a Sustainable Canadian Health System in a Climate Crisis) as the innovation and regional lead for Quebec, she has helped reduced unnecessary diagnostics and supported initiatives such as reducing carbon dioxide emissions from anesthetic gases and lowering medical imaging’s carbon footprint.

“For me, courage is about consistently showing up, even when we feel out of place and the challenges feel so much bigger than us. My energy goes into community: strengthening networks, trying to break silos and helping people connect across disciplines.”

Fatou Dieng

29, Montreal, QC
Climate solutions lead – Manifest Climate

As an immigrant, Fatou Dieng has worked to elevate the voices and needs of marginalized communities. As a climate strategist, she helps organizations understand and implement climate-related strategies and regulations. She has advocated at the Quebec National Assembly for the creation of a youth committee on climate and sustainability. In Senegal, she helps steward her family’s farm as a site of resilience, food sovereignty and ecological restoration.

“My courage comes from entering spaces that many of my people cannot access. When I speak of a ‘happy ending,’ I mean not only the fight against climate change and its unequal impacts but also our struggles against oppression, injustice, genocide, and racial and social disparities.”

Samuel and Michael Marty

undisclosed/23, Frog Lake First Nation

Samuel: Renewable relations liaison
Michael: Community energy manager

Samuel and Michael Marty are cousins and proud members of Frog Lake First Nation. With the goal to make their community self-sufficient and not reliant on fossil fuels, they have both been working to advance clean energy initiatives. Through capacity built from Indigenous Clean Energy’s programs, Samuel has been leading clean energy projects ranging from net-zero housing design to community communications that showcase his Nation’s green energy initiatives. As clean energy manager, Michael is advancing projects that reduce carbon emissions while fostering economic self-sufficiency and cultural resilience among Indigenous youth.

“We are all inherently stewards of the land. Mother Earth has nurtured us with the love and generosity only a mother can give. Now, it is our turn to return that love, to care for our planet with the same compassion.”

Samuel

“I find hope in seeing our communities not just adapt but thrive, building resilience, cultural pride and sustainable futures together.”

Michael

Julia Wright

21, Montreal, QC
CEO – MycoNurseries

Fungi enthusiast Julia Wright co-founded a “mushroom club” to grow oyster mushrooms from spent coffee grounds. They have transformed the project into MycoNurseries, a registered non-profit that grows and distributes mushrooms to food-insecure communities while providing experiential education to youth about sustainable fungiculture. Wright also works at McGill University’s Office of Sustainability as a Sustainable Labs intern.

​​“The climate crisis can be overwhelming, but I believe that even small actions, when many do them, can make a difference. I place my energy into acting locally and practically."

Sonia Vinogradova

26, Ottawa, ON
Co-founder – Spark Source Consulting

As co-founder of Spark Source Consulting, Sonia Vinogradova builds what she calls triple planetary solutions: projects that treat energy, ecology and economy as one system. She has led two solar installations on farms in Eastern Ontario, saving 10 tonnes of carbon dioxide annually and cutting energy costs by 40%. She has secured more than $70,000 in public funding for clean energy and is scaling the model through new partnerships.

“The solutions to create a low-waste, low-emissions economy exist, and I’m implementing them.”

Inaam Chattha

22, Toronto, ON
Medical student – Green Mind Canada

As an immigrant who grew up in a remote Albertan town, Inaam Chattha understands how climate change, mental health and access to resources are deeply connected. He founded Green Mind Canada to create space for young people to talk about climate anxiety. He also wrote three children’s books that help children understand climate emotions and feel empowered to act. He is an Ocean Wise ambassador.

“My courage is guiding me to nurture spaces where young people can share their fears about climate change and feel empowered to act.”

Tianna Philippot

28, Teulon, Manitoba
Founder – Renewable Roots

Tianna Philippot is from rural Manitoba (Treaty 1, homeland of the Red River Métis Nation) and largely credits her connection with the environment to her Indigenous identity. Philippot is the founder of Renewable Roots, an organization dedicated to connecting her community to accessible and sustainable agriculture. Her wheelchair-accessible greenhouse will operate on clean energy in a repurposed container, demonstrating the interconnected relationship of food and energy sovereignty.

“I am continuously understanding the depth of the interconnected relationship between personal and climate resilience. Each exists because of unwavering determination and thoughtful navigation through pain, grief, passion and desire for balance.”

Jumanah Khan

29, London, ON
Owner and director; research associate – White Egret Consulting; Dalhousie University

As program manager for ALUS (Alternative Land Use Services) Elgin, Jumanah Khan led the restoration of more than 400 acres of environmentally sensitive land, managed substantial budgets and coordinated with diverse partners to enhance biodiversity and ecosystem benefits. Her efforts include the diversion of an estimated four tonnes of total phosphorus from Lake Erie and its tributaries. 

“My skills lie in translating data into narratives – helping transdisciplinary knowledge and worldviewsspark community-driven action.”

Clara Phillips

25, Iqaluit, Nunavut
Development project manager – Nunavut Nukkiksautiit Corporation

Clara Phillips is the development project manager for Nunavut Nukkiksautiit Corporation, based in Iqaluit – Nunavut’s first 100% Inuit-owned renewable-energy developer. Phillips is currently managing the construction of the Anuriqjuak Nukkiksautiit Project, a wind and battery energy storage project located in Sanikiluaq, Nunavut. The goal of the project is to offset the community’s diesel fuel use by 70% while securing a revenue-sharing agreement with the Sanikiluarmiut people.

“I prioritize listening, an undervalued but essential skill in creating meaningful change and supporting community-led clean energy projects..”

Lara Varty

26, Courtenay, B.C
Coordinator, sector innovation – Foresight Canada

Lara Varty is an integral part of Foresight Canada’s B.C. Net Zero Innovation Network that is helping the province hit its target of a 40% reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by 2030. She has supported the development of four cleantech innovation clusters centred on mining, water, forest bioeconomy and transportation. Her efforts have contributed to the network’s key accomplishments, including securing $78 million in private cleantech investment, forming 100 new partnerships and launching 26 projects with Indigenous participation.

“Creating space for honest and open dialogue about what barriers are in place in addressing climate issues is the first step in creating change.”

Lily YangLiu

16, White Rock, B.C.
Co-founder/high school student – DMUN Foundation

Lily YangLiu is deputy executive director of the DMUN Foundation, a youth-led, non-profit advocacy platform. She co-developed a climate curriculum with university professors and early childhood educators and has delivered workshops to students across British Columbia. In 2022, she launched Daily Climate News, a bilingual social media series engaging followers in China across WeChat and Xiaohongshu. 

“I try to create spaces where advocacy is not just about sacrifice or urgency, but about community, creativity and resilience, recognizing that we are human, not machines.”

Gordon So

29, Toronto, on
Head of sustainability – Relocalize

Gordon So is an integral part of Relocalize, which creates microfactories that are closer to distribution points, eliminating middle-mile transportation and reducing cold storage needs. So spearheaded Relocalize’s carbon impact analysis in collaboration with the Oxia Initiative.

“Courage, to me, is proving that climate solutions don’t have to wait until 2050. They can transform industries today. I find hope in knowing that when better options exist for both business and the planet, they will always win.”

Alison Gu

29, Burnaby, B.C
City councillor – City of Burnaby

At 24, Alison Gu became the youngest city councillor elected in Burnaby, the third-largest municipality in British Columbia. She spearheaded a policy in her early days at city council that ensures all climate change motions include an equity lens, support reconciliation and be nature-based where possible. Since then, Gu has sat on a task force seeking to reduce building emissions with retrofits and pushed for infrastructure improvements to deal with severe weather events. 

“I place my energy in the fights that teeter the line in being attainable and bold, realistic and impactful. I find hope mostly in loving community, but also in the small wins, knowing that every one has a real impact on people.”

Kimia Shafighi

27, Montreal, QC
CEO and founder – Biocene

Through Biocene, Kimia Shafighi is tackling the urgent issue of harmful algae blooms, which are exacerbated by climate change and threaten water quality, public health and biodiversity in urban and rural aquatic environments. Her innovation removes these blooms from the water and transforms them into valuable biomass, such as biofuel, bioplastics and biocoke, turning a major environmental hazard into a circular economic opportunity.

“Each step forward, no matter how small, reinforces my belief that change is possible. In the end courage is knowing it might not work, but doing it anyway, and doing it together.”

Drew Bernard

28, Lennox Island, P.E.I.
Project manager and housing administrator, L’nu Energy – L’nu Energy

Drew Bernard is a proud Mi’kmaq leader and the energy lead for Lennox Island First Nation, where he is guiding the development of multiple utility-scale solar and wind projects. As co-founder and VP of Awtij Energy, a member of P.E.I.’s Net Zero Advisory Committee, and project manager and housing administrator at L’nu Energy, Bernard has been unlocking energy solutions for homes, fleets and infrastructure across Atlantic Canada.

“I find hope in the rising strength of Indigenous voices across Turtle Island and beyond, and I place my energy everyday in uplifting Indigenous values on the world stage.”

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