Dr. Bruce Lourie, C.M.
President, Ivey Foundation
Dr. Lourie is one of Canada’s most influential experts on climate change and sustainability. Best known for his ability to rethink complex problems and develop solutions that benefit both the economy and the environment, he has been instrumental in creating more than a dozen organizations that play a critical role in Canada’s transition to a net-zero economy, including Canadian Climate Institute, the Institute for Sustainable Finance, Farmers for Climate Solutions, Efficiency Canada and The Transition Accelerator. His focus at Ivey Foundation is the Economy and Environment program, which provides funding to net-zero focused organizations. He initiated the largest climate action in North America, the phasing out of coal in Ontario, helped shepherd the Canadian Boreal Forest Agreement and supported the establishment of the Ontario Greenbelt. He liaises with government, industry, academia, ENGOs and the business community to ensure Canada achieves net-zero by 2050 while remaining competitive.
An engaging and lively spokesperson, Dr. Lourie has a unique ability to translate complex issues into timely and actionable information in both print and broadcast interviews and has been interviewed by major radio, television, print and social media outlets in Canada, Australia and the United States. Dr. Lourie is an experienced and in demand speaker, and speaks regularly at major climate, energy, government, philanthropy and industry association events including the 2024 World Energy Congress in Rotterdam, the 2024 Net-Zero Forum and the 2024 Globe and Mail Report on Business Road to Net-Zero event, where he gave the keynote address.
In 2024 Dr. Lourie received the Order of Canada for his career-long commitment to sustainability and his entrepreneurship in helping establish many organizations devoted to the environment and Canada's transition to net-zero. He was the recipient of York University’s top alumni distinction, the Bryden Award for Outstanding Achievement in 2015, and was awarded a Rockefeller Bellagio Residency in 2021. He is the co-author of two books, Toxin Toxout and Slow Death By Rubber Duck, an international bestseller. Dr. Lourie holds a Ph.D. examining the intersection of risk, science and policy.
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Senior Fellow at Institute for Sustainable Finance, Adjunct Professor at Queen's University, visiting lecturer at University of Oxford Said Business School Social Finance Program, Fellow at Royal Geographical Society of Canada, Honourary Director at Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment.
