It was an honour to be involved in the growth of the Greenpeace Canada Education Fund in 2022. The charity achieved some big first milestones, including embarking on a two-year project to conduct investigative research on the influence of fossil fuel companies in Canada and undertaking an environmental education assessment. Both initiatives have unlocked so much potential for our future work. You will see all of this and more in our latest 2022 Impact Report.
Already in 2023, the investigative researcher hired by GPC last year, through our funding, has produced a report called So Sue Me. This report outlines how the failures of banks globally to meet their climate mitigation promises are spurring legal actions from governments and civil society. This research also found that Canadian banks are likely to encounter the same repercussions as they continue lauding their climate goals while financing the fossil fuel industry. Sharing research findings like this with the public is part of the reason that GCEF exists.
In addition, the environmental education assessment we began in 2022 is now complete. This report will help GCEF interpret what’s already happening in the field and determine how best we might grow the existing program to meet the significant environmental education needs in our schools. Having two school-aged children of my own, this project’s success is particularly close to my heart.
I enjoyed sharing updates with our supporters last year and truly appreciated the opportunities I had to connect with some of you personally. Thank you so much for your support of GCEF in 2022. Your feedback and commitment really helped us move the dial last year.
Thanks for being here with us as we work to close the knowledge gap by conducting research and raising awareness about the environmental issues and solutions we face. We strive to advance our mission while applying an intersectional equity lens in all that we do, from program design to outreach activities. I am looking forward to what we will accomplish together this year for a more just and sustainable planet.
With hope and determination,
Jackie