Sarah Burch

Sarah Burch: Architect of Climate Governance Narratives

We’ve followed Sarah Burch’s work as she’s redefined climate journalism through an academic-practitioner lens. Her unique positioning as both Canada Research Chair in Sustainability Governance and environmental journalist creates a potent bridge between policy complexity and public understanding.

Career Trajectory: From Oxford to National Policy

• Early Academic Foundations: PhD work at UBC analyzing community climate vulnerability laid groundwork for her systems-thinking approach
• Policy Translation Era: Post-Oxford period saw her advising 23 municipal governments on adaptation frameworks
• Media Leadership Phase: Since 2018, her Conversation Canada pieces have become required reading for policymakers

Definitive Works

• "Understanding Climate Change: Science, Policy and Practice"

This seminal textbook demystifies IPCC reports through case studies like Vancouver’s green infrastructure rollout. Burch’s methodology of pairing policy analysis with grassroots examples has been adopted by 14 universities globally.

"The true test of climate governance isn’t in boardrooms, but in how vulnerable communities experience policy implementation."

Pitching Priorities

• Municipal Climate Innovation
  Burch prioritizes stories demonstrating policy implementation gaps at local levels. A recent piece on Toronto’s green roof mandate backlash exemplified her interest in governance friction points.
• Entrepreneurial Solutions
  Her TRANSFORM research project makes her particularly receptive to SMEs developing governance-focused climate tools rather than pure tech plays.
• Justice Dimensions
  Pitches must address equity implications, as seen in her analysis of Alberta’s just transition framework for oil workers.

Awards and Recognition

Clean50 Award (2021): Recognized for bridging academic research and public policy through media work. This annual award highlights Canada’s most impactful sustainability leaders across sectors.