UQAM launches a new research chair combining climate and actuarial sciences
June 5, 2025 – The Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM) is proud to announce the creation of the Research Chair in Actuarial and Climate Sciences (ClimACT), a unique initiative designed to improve our understanding of the financial impacts of climate change and to help society adapt.
Led by Mathieu Boudreault, actuary and professor in the Department of Mathematics, the ClimACT Chair aims to develop concrete research tools to support governments, financial institutions, pension plans and society as a whole in the face of climate challenges.
“UQAM places strategic importance on cutting-edge research on climate change, a crucial issue of our time. The ClimACT Chair reflects our commitment to generating rigorous knowledge to clarify the financial impacts of climate risks. »
— Stéphane Pallage, Rector of UQAM
Focused on the future
The ClimACT Chair takes a collaborative, multidisciplinary approach, partnering with experts in actuarial science, climate, engineering, finance, economics and artificial intelligence. It is financed by three of the six largest property and casualty insurance companies, Co‑operators, Definity and Intact, to the tune of $500,000 each, for a total of $1.5 million over five years.
The Chair’s research will focus on the modeling of climate-related risks and their applications in actuarial science, finance and public policy. Particular attention will be given to the financial impacts associated with the increased frequency and intensity of climatic phenomena such as floods, hurricanes or forest fires. The effects of energy and climate policies on different sectors of the economy and on various financial assets will also be analyzed in depth.
« The ClimACT Chair will enable actuaries to integrate climate change and climate policies into their actuarial valuations so that financial institutions and pension plans can be more resilient to climate change. »
— Mathieu Boudreault, holder of the ClimACT Chair
By helping to quantify climate-related risks, the Chair also aims to improve public policies concerning mitigation, and especially adaptation to climate change.
A partnership to strengthen collective resilience
This initiative is part of a shared desire within the sector to better equip decision-makers dealing with climate risks.
« The increasing risks associated with climate-related phenomena threaten the financial security of Canadians and constitute a major societal challenge that directly concerns the insurance industry. As a co-operative known for our community engagement and our efforts to create a more sustainable future, it makes perfect sense for us to support the creation of the ClimACT Chair. In the coming years, the Chair will produce crucial scientific knowledge that will help the financial industry serve the population and safeguard financial security, which aligns with our purpose. We are proud to contribute to this important project and look forward to collaborating with all the partners.”
— Mathieu Giguère, Vice-President, P&C Business Intelligence and Chief Analytics Officer, Co‑operators
“Climate change is a defining issue of our time and the impacts across Canada on our infrastructure, communities, economy, and health will only continue. Definity has focused our community investment strategy on ensuring our contributions create lasting, measurable impact, which includes building climate-ready communities. Definity is proud to partner in the creation of the ClimACT Chair, which allows for collaboration between experts, industry peers, and government to develop and implement new tools and approaches for climate-related risk management.”
— Liam McFarlane, Chief Risk and Actuarial Officer, Definity
“Intact has been focusing on climate change adaptation for over 10 years. We have witnessed firsthand the consequences of the increasing frequency and severity of extreme weather events and are convinced of the need to collaborate with other stakeholders to find solutions that go beyond insurance. We are delighted to partner with the ClimACT Chair and to contribute to building resilient communities.”
— Isabelle Girard, Senior Vice-President and Chief Digital and Data Officer, Intact
The media are invited to the official launch of the ClimACT Chair, which will take place in the Salle des Boiseries of UQAM’s Judith-Jasmin Pavilion (405 Ste-Catherine Street East) on Wednesday, September 24, 2025 at 4 p.m.
Registration required with the undersigned.
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Source:
Evelyne Dubourg
Communications Advisor
Press Relations and Special Events Division
UQAM Communications Service
Phone: 514 987-3000, ext. 20157
dubourg.evelyne@uqam.ca