Community of Practice

The CERC NEST Community of Practice is an international network that brings together researchers, policymakers, and community leaders to share knowledge, influence policy, and collaborate on solutions centered on the principles of equity and justice.

We officially launched the Research Stream in April 2025 with over 40 participants from 12 countries, featuring activities and discussion as well as a presentation by   (PI of Justice First) on the challenges/opportunities for equity research in large research projects. This stream provides a dedicated space to share methodologies, frameworks, and lessons learned in research areas such as energy, housing, transportation, and community resilience. Register here to join the conversation

Collaborative Paper

The CERC NEST Community of Practice (Research Stream) is developing a synthesis of knowledge and gaps regarding how urban climate actions and innovations either advance or hinder social equity and justice. It specifically aims to move beyond conceptual links to understand how justice principles operate in practical urban contexts. Equity in urban climate actions is the core framework for the synthesis. It identifies how sustainability transitions risk deepening systemic injustices when equity is not a central, practiced component of climate action and provides specific, actionable insights into what we know about mechanisms that shape urban actions and their resulting impacts on justice outcomes. The expected date of completion is Spring 2027.

Energy Chapter

We are co-authoring the Energy chapter for Canada’s Living in Our Changing Climate Report as part of Natural Resources Canada’s National Assessment Process. This chapter examines the intersection of energy systems, climate change, and social equity. It assesses how Canada can transition to sustainable energy development while addressing the specific vulnerabilities of our infrastructure and the diverse needs of people, particularly marginalized and Indigenous communities. We use an equity and justice lens to identify systemic barriers. It involves synthesizing and evaluating peer-reviewed and community-held knowledge to examine inequities in participation and access to benefits. This includes a particular focus on the rights and responsibilities of Indigenous Nations and the protection of future generations. The expected date of completion is Spring 2028.