From Halifax to Vancouver, Canada’s LC3 Network is fostering strong connections across diverse sectors in its quest to boost innovative climate action and identify scalable solutions.
To that end, meet the Women for Climate (W4C) program at the Zero Emissions Innovation Centre (ZEIC), the Metro Vancouver LC3 member and one of the three women-led LC3 centres in Canada. Originally a global C40 Cities initiative, ZEIC has collaborated on the delivery of the program for years and officially brought the program in-house in 2024. The program brings together mentors and mentees across the Metro Vancouver region in a dynamic, supportive environment that blends mentorship, hands-on leadership training and networking to help participants gain new skills, build lasting career connections and make a meaningful contribution to climate action in their organizations and communities.
2025 Orientation photo of participants
A changing climate affects all aspects of our communities, including housing, health, safety, economic livelihoods and food security.1 To make progress on climate targets and create a healthy, safe, and prosperous future for generations to come, we need climate leadership to be inclusive and representative of the community. There are opportunities in all industries—and at all career stages—to influence climate action.
Women make up about half of the population and bring important perspectives and lived experiences that can inform climate solutions. Although there has been significant progress toward gender equity, women remain underrepresented in leadership positions and at decision making tables—yet their ideas and solutions are required to facilitate progress on climate action.
“Participating in the W4C mentorship program connected me with a wider network of people doing a variety of work in the climate space. I also grew my confidence and skills as a future leader.” W4C mentee
The power of inclusion
Vision. Passion. Drive. Intelligence and experience. These are the qualities that define W4C’s new cohort of 20 bright, motivated mentees. They are a mix of emerging, mid-career and established leaders who are dedicated to responding to the climate emergency with practical, just and sustainable solutions.
Participants take part in a robust mentorship program and attend various networking events to gain skills and build career connections.
The mentors guiding the W4C mentee cohort are powerhouse women leaders from across Metro Vancouver. With backgrounds spanning industries—from CEOs and city councillors to executive directors and beyond—they bring a wealth of leadership experience and insight. Their mission? To empower, uplift, and inspire the next generation of changemakers to lead.
“I have so appreciated how the W4C program has introduced me to some of the brightest young minds in the industry. These relationships continue to inspire me, provoke my own thinking and allow me to share lessons from my own career.” Three-time W4C mentor
W4C welcomes Indigenous, racialized, 2SLGBTQIA+ and immigrant women who experience compounding barriers in the workplace. The ten-month program is founded on the fundamental belief that inclusive, representative leadership is inherent to resiliency and a net-zero future. Climate action and equity are inextricably linked—one will not be sustained without the other.
The program is comprised of three core components to accelerate participant’s capacity for championing climate action.
What’s on tap for 2025?
This year’s W4C mentee projects showcase a diverse approach to sustainability, with a strong focus on collaboration and impact. Here’s a look at some of the endeavours that are underway:
- Advancing circular construction practices
- Promoting Indigenous ecological knowledge and conversation
- Strengthening climate resilience in urban Indigenous housing
- Financing deep energy retrofits for vulnerable communities
But that’s not all. Other projects also focus on developing tools and strategies to share knowledge and drive advocacy across sectors—highlighting how sustainability is both a moral obligation and a smart and strategic choice for future growth.
In the transport sector, projects are focused on accelerating the adoption of EVs in commercial and last-mile fleets and building sustainable EV infrastructure including charging stations.
And still others are examining the challenges of coastal flooding and the integration of natural asset management and nature-based solutions.
“As an Indigenous person, my cultural teachings say we are all connected to the lands, water, air, animals and each other. My people believe it is important not to take more than you need, to walk softly on the earth, to take care of one another, and give back. I am grateful to be part of an important initiative that empowers women to use their knowledge and voices to inspire more leaders in this field.” W4C mentee
Looking ahead
Establishing a women-only space in the climate arena sets a precedent for broader gender-inclusive climate solutions, while showcasing how local innovation can shape national strategies and drive systemic change. Participants leave the program better equipped to influence priorities in their workplace and communities, inform policy, and lead.
Through W4C, women’s experience and perspectives are shaping the climate conversation. By creating a platform to support women at different stages of their career—and create a community of mutual support to navigate the complexities of the transition to a clean economy—W4C and ZEIC are steadily advancing LC3’s climate mandate as well as guiding Canada toward a healthy, resilient and low-carbon future.
“I have hope for future generations, as a result of hearing the innovative ways the mentees are working to address climate change.” W4C mentor