My name is Claire Koyama, and I am currently an HBA1 student. Growing up, I had the privilege of spending my summers at an overnight camp in Algonquin Park, where I enjoyed camping and living outdoors. This experience exposed me to the beauty and importance of our environment, and I hope others can enjoy it for generations to come. I am passionate about environmental sustainability and aim to integrate this passion with my interest in finance to develop business strategies that promote a safe and equitable society for everyone.

What is your personal definition of sustainability? 

My definition of sustainability centers on creating safe and habitable environments for people and animals worldwide for generations to come. I believe this is achieved by finding harmony between modern living and practices that respect the land and the well-being of the earth. Such harmony can be realized through the collaboration of various stakeholders, including individuals, governments, businesses, and wildlife, and by incorporating insights from Indigenous communities. By making environmentally conscious decisions in our personal lives and business strategies, and implementing policies informed by experts that promote and enforce these ideals, we can achieve a sustainable lifestyle.

What role do you see sustainability playing in your professional career?

I envision sustainability playing a significant role in my professional career in various ways. I am interested in pursuing a career in finance and policy, aiming to discover how traditional business strategies and metrics can make a meaningful impact for all stakeholders. As ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) becomes an increasingly important concern, many corporations have resorted to performative actions to project an image of sustainability. Although the current state of sustainability is far from ideal, I believe it is possible to achieve benefits beyond profits for a broad range of stakeholders. However, this cannot be accomplished without revising performance metrics and policies. I am committed to focusing my career on facilitating this change and contributing to this process in any way I can. Furthermore, I intend to leverage my education in business to explore innovative ways of thinking and actively participate in the transition to a better world.

What sustainability projects have you been engaged in?

Growing up, I had the privilege of spending time at an overnight camp in Algonquin Park. Starting at the age of 11, I embarked on canoe trips through the park, learning to utilize natural resources sustainably. These experiences taught me to respect campsites and trails, exposing me to the beauty of our natural world. As a staff member at the camp, I shared these lessons with young girls, teaching them how we can protect our forests and explore them in sustainable ways.

These experiences instilled in me an appreciation for the environment, and amid the pressing issues of climate change, I felt inspired to join initiatives that could have a positive impact on the world. In high school, I became part of the Eco Council as a healthy communities coordinator. This role allowed me to research and educate students about sustainable actions they could take, as well as raise awareness about ongoing environmental issues. I also contributed to my school achieving a platinum EcoSchools certification.

Since then, I have continued to explore environmental issues and seek ways to integrate these considerations into business decisions and educational pursuits.

Please list any sustainability-related interests you want to explore during the certificate. 

• Sustainable business policy-making
• Financial Sustainability and moving away from greenwashing