DECEMBER - JANUARY ENVIRONMENTAL BUSINESS REVIEW8 OPINIONIN MYLEADING THE WAY IN SUSTAINABILITY WITHIN THE NUCLEAR INDUSTRYBy Danielle La Croix, Senior Director of Environment, Sustainability & Net Zero, Bruce PowerDanielle La Croix brings over 15 years of experience in the environmental field to her current role. She is currently responsible for leading Bruce Power's Environmental Protection program, overseeing the development of the ESG program and Net Zero strategy. In this capacity, she ensures robust governance, support, and sustainability within Bruce Power's operations while collaborating with key stakeholders and Environmental Regulators. Committed to surpassing industry standards, Danielle provides professional and integrity-driven leadership to her team in their efforts to protect the environment and achieve the Net Zero goals.Can you describe the experiences and developments that led you to your current role, particularly within this niche?My journey to my current role began with my upbringing in Trinidad and Tobago, where I developed a passion for environmental sustainability, with a particular focus on drinking water. After high school, I pursued environmental engineering at the University of Guelph, further nurturing my interest in environmental issues. My career started with consulting on domestic and drinking water plant design and later expanded into greenhouse gas accounting. These experiences laid the foundation for my career in the environmental sector.A pivotal moment in my journey occurred when my husband and I relocated to a quieter area, prompting me to join Bruce Power, the world's largest nuclear plant. Initially employed as an engineer, I transitioned into the environmental program approximately 12 years ago. As a technical officer, my focus shifted to monitoring and measuring our environmental impacts to ensure robust protection. Just before the pandemic, recognizing the global shift towards ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) matters, I spearheaded the development of our company's ESG programs. Despite our historical commitment to environmental protection and community sustainability, we lacked structured governance and quantitative reporting, prompting us to pivot towards a comprehensive ESG framework.Our ESG program is built on four pillars: Environment, People and Safety (inclusive of diversity and equity), Products and Services, and Community. I fostered cross-departmental collaboration to go beyond mere compliance with regulations and pinpoint stakeholders' true concerns. This involved defining key performance indicators (KPIs) to gain insights into our environmental impact, social initiatives, safety record, and community involvement. Since 2020, we have produced quantitative sustainability reports, improving transparency
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