The people who make a difference
The Clean50 Individual awards are selected from 16 diverse categories that transcend industries, academia, different levels of government, thought leaders and advocates, and are based on accomplishments delivered over the prior two years.
Clean50 Backgrounder and logistics
The Canada’s Clean50 award program and Summit were founded in 2011 by Canada’s leading clean tech and sustainability executive search firm, Delta Management Group, and CEO Gavin Pitchford, in response to a trend the firm noted when performing executive searches on behalf of clients.
While there was growing acknowledgement that climate change was real, and that broad solutions were needed, most were working exclusively within their own industry silos and not sharing information. Having identified the issue, Delta created the Clean50 Awards as a way to identify leaders from every sector, and then hosted the Summit as a way to bring those same leaders together.
Each fall since 2011, the “Canada’s Clean50 list” has marked the accomplishments of 50 sustainability leaders in 16 categories. Recently, the list has expanded to identify Emerging Leaders, Top Sustainability Projects, and to recognize Canadian business and climate heroes with Lifetime Achievement awards. 98% of each year’s honourees attend the Clean50 Summit in person, and numerous past winners come back to continue to play a role in deliberations, learn new things, and be inspired.
Lifetime Achievement
Chief Patrick Michell
Chief Patrick Michell has dedicated his life’s work to taking grass roots actions to reduce the impacts of climate change in his community and beyond – and his tireless and common sense advocacy is well known across the political spectrum, both provincially and federally.
Closer to home, under Chief Michell’s leadership, Kanaka Bar has transitioned from a community struggling from the diverse impacts of Canadian colonization to a community that has instilled climate resiliency into all decisions and investments made within and by the community. The community has implemented a community resiliency plan that aims to further the energy self-sufficiency, sustainability, and vibrancy of Kanaka Bar. As a result of this plan, Kanaka Bar has installed over 40 kW of grid tied power in solar PV projects. The chief’s leadership serves not only as an example for many other Indigenous communities but offers inspiration to all Canadians that the climate crisis isn’t insurmountable.
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