BSIA

A centre for advanced research and teaching on global governance and international public policy.

Jason Thistlethwaite

Ph.D. Candidate at the Balsillie School of International Affairs
  • Jason Thistlethwaite
  • Joint University PhD in Global Governance
  • E-mail Address: j2thistl@uwaterloo.ca

  • Jason's research explains the emergence of an innovative transnational climate change movement that is working to leverage international financial markets in the fight to mitigate climate change. In particular, this research is tracking partnerships between financial firms and environmental groups that advocate the implementation of best-practice standards governing climate change risks and opportunities.

Background

Jason Thistlethwaite is currently a 4th year PhD Candidate at the Balsillie School living in Waterloo, Ontario. Initially from Dundas, Ontario, Jason pursued his undergraduate and Master’s research at the University of Western Ontario, where he grew interested in international financial regulation. In the first year of his PhD, this interest spread as international financial regulators began to debate the regulatory response to the financial crisis. At the same time, many financial firms encouraged by environmental groups became more engaged on environmental issues, specifically climate change. Because financial markets ultimately govern how the global economy distributes capital, Jason thought this environmental movement deserved some attention. In addition to spending time on this research, Jason is currently the Project Manager of the Climate Change Adaptation Project, which is mapping climate change impacts on the Canadian economy, and the policy tools necessary for mitigating these impacts.

Why he chose the Balsillie School: "I decided to attend the BSIA to work with Professor Eric Helleiner, an expert in the international political economy of international financial regulation. "

Select Publications

  • "Counting the Environment: The Environmental Implications of International Accounting Standards," Global Environmental Politics (Forthcoming 2011).
  • "Conceptualizing the Emergence of Transnational Climate Change Risk Regimes." Paper Presentation. Alliance on Governance Research and Analysis (AGORA): Knowledge Networks and Policy Communities in the Global Political Economy. Watson Institute for International Studies, Brown University. June 2010.
  • "The International Climate Change Risk Regime." Paper Presentation. International Studies Association Annual Conference. New Orleans, LA. February 2010.
  • "Private Voluntary Programs in Environmental Governance: Climate Change and the Financial Sector." Paper Presentation. International Studies Association Annual Conference. New Orleans, LA. February 2010.
  • "The Greening of International Financial Regulation." CIGI Working Group on Environment and Resources: Environmental Sustainability and the Financial Crisis. Co-authored with Eric Helleiner. [http://www.cigionline.org/publications/2009/9/environmental-sustainability-and-financial-crisis-linkages-and-policy-recommendations]

Academic/Professional Awards

  • Doctoral Fellowship, Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (2009-2011)
  • Balsillie Fellowship, Balsillie School of International Affairs (2008-2011)

Education

  • Ph.D., University of Waterloo, Balsillie School of International Affairs (forthcoming 2011)
  • M.A., University of Western Ontario, Political Science (2006)
  • B.A., University of Western Ontario, Political Science and History (2005)