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The Resilience Acceleration Lab

We're working to mobilize private capital to build more climate-resilient communities in Canada

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Climate change is a direct threat to the financial security of Canadians

Climate change is driving increased disruption and loss
Climate impacts are becoming more frequent and severe across many perils, including wildfire, flood, heat, and wind.
The cost to Canadians is increasing, threatening their financial security
In 2024, there were $8.5 billion in insured losses, the highest amount on record. Estimates suggest total economic losses are 3 times worse.
Climate finance is mainly focused on reducing emissions
Most climate investing is focused on net zero (mitigation), just one side of the solution. There is no path to net zero without adapting as we go.
Adaptation costs are more than governments alone can absorb
We need to unlock more capital to build the infrastructure needed for climate resilience (adaptation). Complex problems require whole of society solutions.

These complex challenges require imaginative, whole-of-society solutions

To accelerate the shift to more climate resilient communities and economies, Co-operators has set up the Resilience Acceleration Lab, which aims to demonstrate the need and viability for private capital to finance urgently needed climate resilience in Canada.

The Resilience Acceleration Lab is seeking to build a pipeline of investable resilience and adaptation projects in communities and regions across Canada, taking a whole of society approach through innovative, interdisciplinary partnerships.

Together, we're working to advance systems change efforts, working in partnership with the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, The Canadian Climate Institute, ICLEI Canada, the Institute for Catastrophic Loss Reduction, Climate Proof Canada, the Climate Bonds Initiative, and more.

Resources and publications

The Resilience Acceleration Lab team

The Resilience Acceleration Lab is a dedicated, multi-disciplinary team within Co-operators that works with partners to accelerate the development and financing of resilience and adaptation projects through novel and innovative approaches.
Don Iveson, Advisor
Former Mayor of Edmonton, Don has 14 years of City Hall experience, including 5 as Chair of Canada’s Big City Mayors. He now Chairs the CMHC board.
Paul Manias, Advisor
Paul has over 20 years of experience in business and law, including 10 years at OMERS. He currently serves as the Co-Head of Diagram ClimateTech Fund.
Eleanore Ho, Principal
Eleanore has over 20 years of experience in strategy, project development and partnerships in financial services, including CIBC and fintechs.
Solina Teav, Principal
Solina has over 15 years of finance and investment experience across asset classes and sectors. from a variety of companies including Scotiabank and Conservation International.
Nate Stein, Senior Analyst
Nate is a CPA with 5 years at Co-operators focused on corporate strategy and investments.

Our approach

The lab is geared towards infrastructure and real assets

We're investing in infrastructure and real assets, while remaining receptive to businesses opportunities that address physical risk.

Our approach is resilience-focused and risk-informed

We're addressing all climate risks including wildfire, flooding and sea level risk, heat stress, cold stress, water stress (incl. drought) and storm damage

We're focused on developing adaptive solutions

We’re seeking to invest in projects that are prevention and remediation focused, rather than response oriented.

Benefits of working together

System enablement and network access

We can play a role in ensuring that the project has an enabling environment for development through a broad network of finance, adaptation, policy and system-wide partners.

Investment and risk expertise

We can provide a unique lens tailored to Canadian resilience and adaptation projects that is risk informed and outcome oriented.

Access to private capital

We have project development and investment capital to accelerate projects.

Help us catalyze climate resilience in Canada

If you have communities or projects where there is an identified resiliency and adaptation infrastructure need; and want to explore innovative funding models, reach out at resilience@cooperators.ca or get in touch through our contact form.
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