ECO IMPACT 2025:
Conference Agenda

Welcome to the ECO IMPACT 2025 Conference Agenda! Here, you’ll find an overview of our event schedule, featuring diverse sessions that promote dialogue and collaboration in environmental innovation. From engaging keynotes and interactive workshops to networking opportunities, our agenda is designed to inspire impactful discussions on sustainability.

All New Learning Series Format

This year, the ECO IMPACT 2025 Conference introduces three dynamic Learning Series paths: AI/Environmental Sustainability, Education/Auditing, and Workforce/ECO Insights.

These paths will shape the conference experience and provide focused insights into key areas of environmental innovation. Each path features multiple sessions that run concurrently, allowing attendees to customize their conference experience based on their interests and professional needs. Click here for detailed information about these paths and scroll down to choose your path!

Don’t miss the event’s highlight—our Awards Gala at 5:30 PM! Join us for an evening of fine dining, entertainment, and celebration as we honour the outstanding achievements of environmental trailblazers. Explore the detailed agenda below to plan your experience and connect with industry leaders committed to a sustainable future.

Customize your path by exploring sessions in any conference stream.

Workforce/ECO Insights

Opening Plenary Session

AI-powered Sustainability: Shaping the Future Workforce and Environment

As we move toward a more sustainable future, the integration of artificial intelligence is transforming industries and reshaping the workforce. This opening plenary will delve into the powerful role AI plays in driving sustainability, from optimizing resource use to advancing climate resilience. Leaders from the AI, cleantech, and environmental sectors will explore how these innovations are not only addressing global environmental challenges but also creating new career opportunities and skill demands. Join us to kick off ECO IMPACT with a visionary discussion on how AI-powered sustainability is shaping the future of work and the environment.
Eyes on the Earth

Pipeline Revegetation with Silvacom

Advances in environmental monitoring and remote sensing technologies are revolutionizing how we understand and protect our planet. This session will dive into the transformative impact these innovations are having on the environmental workforce. From satellite-based climate tracking to real-time ecosystem monitoring, panelists will explore the cutting-edge tools driving more precise data collection, analysis, and decision-making. The discussion will highlight how these technologies are not only advancing environmental management but also creating new career pathways and reshaping the future of work in environmental fields.

What is Missing Middle Housing and what should it look like in Alberta's cold climate?

Speakers:

Join us for an enlightening panel discussion that explores the crucial “Why” behind adopting the National Energy Code of Canada for Buildings (NECB) within Indigenous communities. This session will emphasize the significant benefits and the vital importance of adopting, complying with, and enforcing the highest feasible energy building codes. Our distinguished panelists will discuss how these codes can enhance energy efficiency, sustainability, and long-term cost savings, while also addressing the unique cultural, environmental, and societal impacts on Indigenous communities. Don’t miss this opportunity to understand the compelling reasons for embracing NECB building codes and how they can foster positive change and resilience in Indigenous communities.

Bridging Workforce Gaps

Aligning Employer Needs with Skills for Success in the Environmental Sector

This interactive stakeholder session will explore how environmental employers can align their talent development strategies with the Skills for Success framework to meet evolving workforce demands. Participants will discuss practical ways to integrate key foundational and transferable skills—such as communication, problem-solving, collaboration, and digital literacy—into hiring, onboarding, and professional development initiatives. The session will feature insights from industry leaders who have successfully embedded these skills within their organizations, fostering innovation and sustainability. Attendees will also have the opportunity to exchange ideas on addressing skills gaps, building inclusive talent pipelines, and preparing employees to thrive in a competitive, skills-based economy. Join us to shape the future of environmental workforce development and help build a sustainable, diverse, and high-performing talent pool ready to tackle tomorrow’s environmental challenges.
Women in Environmental Leadership:

Shaping the Future Workforce

Featuring a panel of accomplished women leaders, participants will explore their experiences, challenges, and successes in shaping environmental policies and initiatives. The discussion will focus on strategies to empower women in the workforce, the importance of mentorship, and the impact of inclusive leadership on organizational culture and sustainability outcomes.

Creating Career Pathways in the Blue Economy

Speakers:

The blue economy offers immense opportunities for sustainable growth and job creation across marine and coastal sectors. This session will focus on developing career pathways that empower individuals to thrive in this emerging field. Attendees will learn about the skills and training needed to succeed, as well as initiatives aimed at fostering youth engagement and workforce development. Join us to explore how we can build a resilient and inclusive workforce that drives innovation and sustainability in the blue economy, ensuring a healthier ocean and coastal environment for future generations.

Building a Greener Future

How Energy Efficiency and Innovative Building Technologies are Shaping the Environmental Workforce

As the push for sustainability intensifies, energy efficiency and innovative building technologies are revolutionizing the environmental workforce and reshaping the construction landscape. This session will explore how these advancements are creating new career opportunities and transforming traditional roles within the industry. Panelists will discuss the essential skills and training required to thrive in this evolving field, emphasizing the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration to achieve sustainable outcomes.

Breaking Barriers

Empowering Disabled Professionals in the Workplace

This session sheds light on the systemic barriers faced by differently abled individuals in employment, from accessibility challenges to biases in hiring and retention practices. Join experts, advocates, and professionals to explore innovative strategies and success stories that highlight how workplaces can foster inclusivity, remove obstacles, and unlock the potential of all employees. This session is a call to action for organizations to champion diversity and equity in the workforce.

Education/Auditing

Opening Plenary Session

AI-powered Sustainability: Shaping the Future Workforce and Environment

As we move toward a more sustainable future, the integration of artificial intelligence is transforming industries and reshaping the workforce. This opening plenary will delve into the powerful role AI plays in driving sustainability, from optimizing resource use to advancing climate resilience. Leaders from the AI, cleantech, and environmental sectors will explore how these innovations are not only addressing global environmental challenges but also creating new career opportunities and skill demands. Join us to kick off ECO IMPACT with a visionary discussion on how AI-powered sustainability is shaping the future of work and the environment.
Auditing Essentials

Building an Organization's Sustainable Future Through Accountability

Explore the vital role of auditing in fostering accountability and sustainability within organizations. This session offers expert insights through two focused presentations, followed by a dynamic moderator-led discussion and an interactive audience Q&A. Attendees will gain knowledge on the various types of audits, key players, important steps in the audit process, and real-world lessons learned that can enhance transparency and drive resilience in an organization. Information will also be provided on current auditor certifications, auditing organizations, how to gain audit experience and more. Whether you’re an auditor or a leader, this session will equip you with the tools to build a sustainable and accountable future.

Mentorship and Personal Growth

Evolving Through Your Career

Join a panel discussion of intermediate and senior professionals within the environmental industry as the provide insight into the progression of their careers, what type of mentorship and coaching they seek currently and have sought in the past and how mentorship and coaching has evolved since their careers began.  This discussion will explore the obstacles professionals face, opportunities to build a mentorship relationship(s) and provide real life situations and experiences that the panel has faced and overcome.”

Celebrating Certification

Achievements and the Future of ECO Canada's Designations

Join us for an interactive meet and greet with the Certification Team at ECO Canada, designed for environmental professionals seeking to enhance their credentials and career prospects. This informal session provides a unique opportunity to ask questions, gain insights, and learn about the certification process, requirements, and the benefits of becoming certified. Whether you’re considering certification for the first time or looking to deepen your understanding of ECO Canada’s offerings, our team is here to guide you.

Innovative Green Learning

Eco-Centric Solutions in the Digital Age

Increasing Ambition

Embedding the SDGs in the Workforce of the Future

This session will explore the intersection of innovation, environmental stewardship, and sustainable economic growth through the lens of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. From decent work and economic development to climate action and life below water and on land, panelists will highlight cutting-edge initiatives and collaborative solutions that are driving meaningful progress toward these critical goals. Join industry leaders, environmental professionals, and sustainability experts as they share insights on how technology, partnerships, and policy can work together to create resilient ecosystems, thriving economies, and a sustainable future for all.

Next steps in Building a Vibrant Indigenous Workforce

Building a vibrant Indigenous workforce is essential for fostering sustainability, cultural preservation, and economic growth within Indigenous communities and beyond. This session will focus on actionable strategies for enhancing Indigenous participation in various sectors, particularly in environmental and resource management. Participants will engage in discussions about the importance of culturally relevant training and partnerships that empower Indigenous individuals to enter and thrive in the workforce.

Inspiring Changemakers

Engaging Youth at Work for a Sustainable Future

Speakers:

Now more than ever, young people seek work that aligns with their values while making a meaningful contribution to their workplace. At the same time, the importance of fostering strong climate leadership within youth is essential for businesses that seek to create long-lasting sustainability solutions. This workshop will delve into innovative strategies for engaging the next generation in environmental careers and leadership. Gain insights into fostering passion for sustainability, creating inclusive opportunities, and empowering young changemakers to lead the call to action in their communities and beyond. Employers, educators, and those working with youth will discover how to inspire and support the leaders of tomorrow.

AI/Environmental Sustainability

Opening Plenary Session

AI-powered Sustainability: Shaping the Future Workforce and Environment

As we move toward a more sustainable future, the integration of artificial intelligence is transforming industries and reshaping the workforce. This opening plenary will delve into the powerful role AI plays in driving sustainability, from optimizing resource use to advancing climate resilience. Leaders from the AI, cleantech, and environmental sectors will explore how these innovations are not only addressing global environmental challenges but also creating new career opportunities and skill demands. Join us to kick off ECO IMPACT with a visionary discussion on how AI-powered sustainability is shaping the future of work and the environment.
Biostimulation Breakthroughs

Pioneering Sustainable Solutions for Brownfields Redevelopment

Join us for an in-depth look at the latest advancements in biostimulation, a cutting-edge approach to brownfields redevelopment. This session will explore how biological processes are being leveraged to clean up contaminated sites in a cost-effective, low-impact manner. Learn about groundbreaking techniques that are transforming brownfield redevelopment, restoring ecosystems, and unlocking new opportunities for sustainable growth.

Urban Mining

Unlocking the Critical Mineral Chain for a Sustainable Future

In an era defined by rapid urbanization and increasing demand for critical minerals, “Urban Mining: Unlocking the Critical Mineral Chain for a Sustainable Future” explores the transformative potential of urban mining in addressing the challenges of resource scarcity and environmental sustainability. As traditional mining practices face significant social and ecological scrutiny, urban mining emerges as a viable alternative, enabling the recovery of valuable materials from consumer batteries, and other urban sources.

Conducting a Climate Change Risk Assessment for Any Organization

This interactive workshop provides participants the opportunity to learn and practice conducting a climate change risk assessment, tailored for any organization. Working in small groups, participants will engage with a case study that applies broadly across sectors, facilitated by Green Sky Sustainability. Through a simulated experience, participants will navigate the steps of a climate risk assessment following the methodology prescribed under the Climate Lens Assessment guidance by Infrastructure Canada. This commonly used approach in Canada also aligns with the ISO 14091 risk assessment standard, ensuring participants gain hands-on experience with industry-standard practices.

Navigating the Complexities of Global Supply Chains

Explore the challenges and opportunities in managing global supply chains. This session will delve into strategies for navigating complexities such as sustainability, risk management, and efficiency, offering insights on how to build resilient, responsible supply chains in a rapidly changing world.

The Future of AI in Environmental Policy and Regulation
The Keys to Ensuring Innovation is a Force for Good

Speakers:

While we have successfully cultivated a generation of new tech entrants and innovators focused on or, at the very least, hyper-aware of a changing climate, they are missing some of the most basic elements of good governance and risk management. Without knowing what these are, and how to integrate them companies and individuals with a lot on the line can find themselves just displacing other environmental impacts, not meeting investor expectations or, worse, not being recognized as the leader of clean and green solutions that they seek to be. Attendees at this presentation will be introduced to the concepts of materiality, importance of good governance processes, impact assessment and performance metrics.

Building the Future

Navigating Adoption and Compliance with National Building and Energy Codes

Speakers:

This comprehensive workshop will focus on the “What” and “How” aspects of adopting building codes, with a special emphasis on the National Energy Code of Canada for Buildings (NECB) 2020. Participants will gain a thorough understanding of: 
•    What are NBC and NECB
•    How can communities adopt these codes, especially NECB 2020
•    How can communities enforce and comply with these codes
•    Challenges and barriers to compliance
Join us to equip yourself with the knowledge and tools necessary to effectively adopt, enforce, and comply with the highest feasible energy building codes, driving sustainability and efficiency in your community

AWARDS GALA

Day 1 from 5:30 PM to 10:30 PM MT

The Awards Gala is an evening dedicated to honouring the visionaries and innovators driving progress in the environmental sector. Join us for an unforgettable night of fine dining, networking, and entertainment as we recognize the achievements shaping a greener, more resilient future.

Cocktails / Networking
Dinner & Awards Presentation
Keynote Speaker
Networking Continues