Call for Public Nominations: Technical Working Groups for the Canadian Sustainable Finance Taxonomy
We are seeking sector experts to contribute to some of the most technically rigorous and consequential guidance in Canada’s sustainable finance landscape that will help Canada meet its commitment to net-zero by 2050.
About Business Future Pathways
Business Future Pathways is an independent initiative dedicated to developing the market infrastructure Canada needs to accelerate investment in a clean, competitive economy. Supported by the Canadian Climate Institute, Business Future Pathways convenes industry, finance, academia, and civil society to build credible, science-based tools for Canada’s sustainable finance market. The flagship initiative is the development of Canada’s Sustainable Finance Taxonomy—a voluntary, national classification framework that will define the criteria for credible climate-aligned investment opportunities across the Canadian economy. Investors are increasingly factoring climate-readiness into capital allocation decisions. A made-in-Canada taxonomy and transition planning guidance standardizes this market information, signaling and strengthening investor confidence in Canadian projects and companies that are effectively managing their climate risks and seizing opportunities. Business Future Pathways is led by a Taxonomy and Transition Planning Council and supported by Financial Sector, Technical, and International Advisory Groups.
Why Your Expertise Matters
The next phase of the taxonomy’s development will translate its methodology report (to be published for public comment on July 9th) into actionable technical screening criteria for three priority sectors: Electricity, Buildings, and Transportation. Technical Working Groups will play a critical role in this process, providing the sectoral and technical expertise needed to develop criteria that are scientifically credible, usable, and reflective of Canada’s unique economic and regional context. Working Group Members will advise the Canadian Climate Institute as it develops these criteria, helping to shape the standards that will ultimately define and guide climate-aligned investments in Canada.
Who We’re Looking For
Business Future Pathways is seeking individuals with deep sector-specific and technical expertise across the priority taxonomy sectors. Relevant backgrounds include engineering, environmental science, climate modelling, life-cycle assessment, and sector-specific decarbonization pathways in the priority sectors. Candidates should be able to engage substantively with quantitative emissions metrics, technology readiness assessments, and net-zero pathway analysis. Familiarity with Canadian regulatory frameworks, regional infrastructure realities, or Indigenous rights considerations is an asset.
We are committed to building working groups that reflect the full breadth of perspectives needed to develop sector-specific guidance that works across the identified priority sectors. We welcome nominations from individuals representing:
- Industry and project developers and operators
- Trade associations
- Academic and research institutions
- Think tanks and policy organizations
- Environmental and civil society organizations
- Indigenous rights holders, leaders, and Indigenous-led organizations
- Labour organizations
- Technical and engineering experts
- Economists
- Financial institutions, asset managers, and institutional investors
The goal of the Technical Working Groups is to enhance the research, ensuring the sector-specific taxonomy guidance is credible, usable, and practical. Individuals applying should have technical expertise, skills, and perspectives in the priority sectors and associated technical products.
Expectations and Time Commitment
Members should be prepared for meaningful, substantive engagement throughout this process, beginning in July 2026 through January 2027. The taxonomy is operating on an ambitious timeline. Final technical screening criteria for the first three priority sectors—Electricity, Buildings, and Transportation—are targeted for publication in January 2027, with a public consultation period in fall 2026. Working Group Members will be expected to attend virtual Working Group meetings at least once per month, review and provide written input on draft criteria, and engage with technical materials between meetings. This level of commitment reflects the importance and complexity of the work. Members will be contributing to some of the most technically rigorous and consequential guidance in Canada’s sustainable finance landscape. Participation is unpaid.
- The sector-specific technical working group that you’re looking to join
- An updated CV outlining your technical expertise
- A short summary on why you’re applying and the expertise you’d bring to the work (no more than 1-2 paragraphs).