The University of Toronto is launching a new institute to leverage the university’s expertise in addressing the climate crisis across a diverse range of fields, helping drive the transition to a more sustainable and prosperous future by accelerating solutions that are practical, scalable and equitable.
Through a multidisciplinary approach, the Lawson Climate Institute will ramp up U of T’s capacity to advance the technologies and policies needed for Canada to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. It will also empower students from any field of study to make climate action a priority, infusing them with a fundamental sense of optimism by focusing on positive and achievable gains in environmental and human well-being. U of T launched the Lawson Climate Institute on Earth Day, which aims to drive positive global action for the planet.
The institute is named in honour of Brian Lawson and Joannah Lawson, alumni and longtime supporters and volunteer leaders with the university, in recognition of their transformative $60-million donation to help establish the institute.