Executive Director, Environment & Climate, City of Toronto

James Nowlan is the Executive Director of Environment & Climate at the City of Toronto, where he oversees the team responsible for the development of corporate environment and climate policies, such as TransformTO the City's strategy to be net-zero by 2040, the Net-Zero Existing Buildings Strategy, the Electric Vehicle Strategy, a renewed approach to climate resiliency and work on a Circular Economy Roadmap, working with many of the City’s Divisions, agencies, and external partners in the community. The Division also works on several innovative projects that support achieving City environment and climate goals and oversees a number of funding programs such as SolarTO and the Home Energy Loan Program.

James joined the City in January of 2022 after more than 17 years in Ontario’s Public Service, where he held progressively more responsible policy/program, management, and Executive leadership positions in several Ontario ministries. In his last position with the Province, James was the Assistant Deputy Minister of the Agency Oversight and Partnerships Division at the Ministry of Transportation, where he worked closely with ministries, agencies, and other levels of government to support investments in public transit. 

Prior to this, James has had the opportunity to work on many high-profile environmental and resource management initiatives in the Ontario Public Service including the establishment of the Greenbelt, renewable energy policy, Great Lakes protection, air quality, climate change and transportation and transit policies, programs and delivery. Under his leadership these teams developed and delivered significant legislation, regulations, programs, policies, and infrastructure investments.

Related to his current role, James has held a number of positions focused on environment, climate and energy matters, including the Director of Climate Change Policy with the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change. While with the Ministry, he led the development and implementation of an all of government Climate Change Action Plan that involved actions to be implemented by 16 provincial Ministries. Delivering on this outcome for the Province included significant efforts to work across Ministry silos, create relationships and partnerships, and establish processes to resolve disputes.