Joanne Westwood Email & Phone Number

Professional with expertise in sustainability/climate strategy development, climate-related data and disclosures, sustainable finance, impact measurement & management, and sustainability/integrated reporting. Experience includes contributing to the evolution of, and implementing, global sustainable finance and net zero principles and frameworks, most recently the UN's Principles for Responsible Banking, Net Zero Banking Alliance's Guidelines for Climate Target Setting, and PCAF's Global GHG Accounting and Reporting standard. Day to day work involves co-creating, sharing and implementing approaches and best practices to support Vancity and other banks to make decisions aligned with the Paris Climate Agreement and relevant sustainability commitments. Responsibilities includes enhancing how Vancity defines, tracks and reports key ESG-related (Environmental, Social, Governance) outcomes such as financed greenhouse gas emissions and sustainable finance flows. Demonstrates solid strategic, leadership and relationship-building skills with ability to oversee complex projects and processes. Strong technical understanding of ESG, organizational sustainability and climate-related frameworks and requirements. Experience working with senior management, Boards, consultants, cross-functional teams and global working groups to inform guidance and best practices, influence strategy, build consensus and implement initiatives. Specialties include: Sustainable and climate finance; sustainability and climate/net zero frameworks for banks; strategy development; impact measurement and management (IMM); integrated reporting; gathering; financed emissions; synthesizing and presenting key insights; stakeholder engagement; written and verbal communications (public speaking, presentations, case studies, speaking notes, Board-level reports etc.); managing teams and complex projects.

Listed skills include Stakeholder Engagement, Sustainability, Strategy Development, Research, and 14 others.

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  Manager, Climate Strategy And Performance

  Vancity

  Feb 2021 - Present - Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

  In this role I advise on and implement strategic initiatives, with a focus on Vancity’s response to the climate crisis and its Net Zero by 2040 goal. This includes identifying risks and opportunities, building Vancity’s sustainable finance portfolios, establishing climate-related targets and metrics, supporting climate-related and ESG disclosures, and informing Vancity’s approach to decarbonization. Responsibilities include: - Developing Vancity’s interim climate targets in support of its Net Zero by 2040 goal and commitment to finance an equitable climate transition. - Advising on the development and implementation of Vancity’s climate strategy, including operationalizing our climate commitments and Net Zero by 2040 ambition- Supporting engagement with staff, members, community partners and other stakeholders to accelerate climate action- Implementing approaches for capturing, monitoring, assuring and acting on climate related data. - Understanding and advising on the landscape of climate-related initiatives and guidance relevant to financial institutions, including science based target setting and measuring financed emissions. -Participating on numerous committees and working groups with Canadian and global partners to advance best practices. These include the Net Zero Banking Alliance’s (NZBA) Implementation Committee, and the Platform for Carbon Accounting Financials’ (PCAF) Canada working group. - Enabling Vancity to deliver on its broader sustainability commitments, including the Principles for Responsible Banking, Net Zero Banking Alliance, and those made through the Global Alliance for Banking on Values.