Lawson Climate Initiative
Source: https://lci.utoronto.ca/ Parent: https://defygravitycampaign.utoronto.ca/news-and-stories/clean-energy-technologies/
A Transformative Donation
In April 2025, U of T launched the Lawson Climate Institute, named in honour of Brian Lawson and Joannah Lawson’s transformative $60-million donation. The Lawson Climate Institute will galvanize and accelerate U of T’s capacity to advance the technologies, policies, and incentives needed to make the global transition to net zero.
Building on U of T’s global reputation for sustainability and environmental stewardship
The Lawson Climate Institute will combine and catalyze U of T’s multidisciplinary strengths in engineering, science, finance, law, economics, business, and agriculture, as well as foster collaboration with governments, the private sector and public-sector institutions, in translating solutions-oriented research into real-world sustainable technologies and equitable, practical climate policies.
Message from the Interim Director:
It has been an exhilarating first year at the Lawson Climate Institute, fueled by the historic investment from the Brian & Joannah Lawson Family Foundation.
We are an institute in a hurry. We’ve launched programs in all pillars (Sustainable Innovation and Technology, Climate Policy and Sustainable Finance, Leaders for a Sustainable Future, and Campus as a Living Lab). We have built a community of Lawson Scholars, are hiring for three Lawson-endowed chairs, and have kicked-off foundational educational programming with the Lawson Course on the Power Source. We have funded a food digester system as a living lab at the U of T Scarborough campus and a Climate Finance Research Hub. We have launched research projects in the politics of decarbonization, grid modernization, and electrified mining.
This great start was made possible by integrating the exceptionally talented staff team of our former institute, Climate Positive Energy, to be the Lawson Climate Institute core staff. We are also privileged to draw on the leadership of Professor Kenneth Corts as Academic Lead for Policy and Sustainable Finance, and the deep expertise of the Expert Advisory Committee as we scale our impact.
Looking ahead, we are formalizing and expanding our programming in lockstep with research, grant and scholarship offices across all three campuses. Our mission is to combine and catalyze U of T’s strengths, and foster collaboration with government, the private sector and public-sector institutions, in translating solutions-oriented research into sustainable technologies and equitable, practical climate policies. The tent is big and the challenge is huge – as is the opportunity presented by the Lawson Climate Institute. I am honoured to lead it.
Dave Sinton\ Interim Director, Lawson Climate Institute
Anchored by Four Key Pillars
The Lawson Climate Institute will generate practical, effective and equitable climate solutions by focusing on four core areas of interconnected activity. By investing across these areas, accelerating their momentum and creating new mechanisms for knowledge-sharing and collaboration between them, the Lawson Climate Institute will multiply its impact.
Sustainable Innovation and Technology
Solutions-oriented research, enabling innovation, entrepreneurship and partnerships
Leaders for a Sustainable Future
Three new research chairs (climate-tech, climate-policy, climate-food) and support for students to become leaders
Climate Policy and Sustainable Finance
Research on policy and finance that translates into action and impact, helping to incentivize solutions to climate change
Climate Positive Campus
Transforming University of Toronto campuses into living laboratories, engaging students and industry partners in demonstrating novel and practical ways to create sustainable institutions
For Students
Mission Innovation: Smart CDR Competition
University of Toronto’s Lawson Climate Institute is pleased to support the SMART-CDR Competition under the Mission Innovation banner.
News
Lawson Climate Institute hosts Catherine McKenna and Katharine Hayhoe for International Women’s Day event
by Lawson Climate Institute | Mar 12, 2026 | Empower, Envision
Photo by Liz Beddall On March 9, 2026, in recognition of International Women’s Day, the Lawson Climate Institute (LCI) at University of Toronto was delighted to host "Your Career in Climate" with Catherine McKenna, lawyer, climate leader, and former Minister of...
Lawson Climate Institute’s Announces First Members of its External Advisory Committee
by Lawson Climate Institute | Mar 12, 2026 | Empower, Envision
In April 2025, the University of Toronto announced the launch of the Lawson Climate Institute, made possible by Brian and Joannah Lawson’s transformative $60-million gift. Established to galvanize and accelerate the university’s contributions to addressing climate...
LCI Leadership Recognized on International Women’s Day
by Lawson Climate Institute | Mar 10, 2026 | Empower, Envision
Lawson Climate Institute's Shatha Qaqish-Clavering also serves as Board Member for Smart Grid Innovation Network (SGIN) Canada. She offered SGIN insights on the contributions of women in Canada's energy sector. In a post on LinkedIn, SGIN featured Shatha...
Upcoming Events
Mar 27
Meet the Authors: Dr. Minh Do and Dr. Amy Janzwood
3:00 pm - 4:30 pm
Jun 01
June 1 - June 7
Jun 24
Toronto Meeting on the Economics of Climate Change
June 24 - June 26