From early on, Duncan developed a balanced perspective on economic and environmental priorities, guiding companies to align profitability with sustainability and governments to align environmental ambition with technical and financial the realities. Today, his team brings together technical, economic, and financial insights, working with government, industry, and finance to secure the policy, regulations, incentives, and corporate strategies for energy system transformation and decarbonization.
Duncan’s childhood followed his father’s engineering career, with the family travelling across Canada and internationally until the 1979 Iranian Revolution abruptly ended their posting in Iran.
“We had what felt like 45 minutes to gather what we could before boarding a Hercules aircraft to Turkey. At 9, it felt like an adventure; for my mother, it was likely a nightmare.”
Leaving Iran was a significant event in Duncan's life, and it marked the beginning of his journey towards different experiences and perspectives. After relocating to Montreal, Duncan’s passion for science led him westward to study Biology at the University of Victoria.
Duncan and family enjoying a vacation in Cape Cod
While at university, Duncan observed the “War in the Woods,” British Columbia’s clash between environmentalists and logging companies. Unlike many who took sides, he developed a nuanced view, influenced by his father, a forester and engineer.
“My father respected nature but also understood the perspectives of people working in the woods and mills.”
Early exposure to both viewpoints gave Duncan a practical outlook on balancing industrial and environmental needs.
“These aren’t villains; they’re people producing essential materials. It’s not about choosing between industry and nature but understanding their complex relationship.”
During a course on environmental management systems, Duncan experienced a revelation.
“People thought protecting the environment meant sacrificing profits. But the course showed how companies could reduce impacts while benefiting employees, shareholders, and profits—not from virtue, but because efficiency and environmental protection often align.”
This insight deepened Duncan’s commitment to finding sustainable solutions that also support economic growth.
In 1997, finding firms focused on environmental management wasn’t a quick search online.
“You couldn’t just Google it. I had to hit the library, sift through the Yellow Pages, and cold-call industry associations to track down companies helping large enterprises improve environmental and financial performance.”
Duncan was drawn to consultancy, where he quickly became a leader in environmental management systems for energy and industrial clients. However, as more firms entered the field and commoditized the service, Duncan began seeking his next challenge.
Duncan and his three daughters out for dinner and ice cream on Ossington St. in Toronto
With the arrival of the Kyoto Protocol in 1997, Duncan saw an opportunity to help clients prepare for emerging regulations related to GHG emissions mitigation and climate change. Immersing himself in emissions science, industry impacts, and cost analyses, he guided companies in measuring and reducing emissions without sacrificing operations. This work took him from Wall Street boardrooms to industrial sites globally, where he gained a holistic view of the emissions landscape.
“I found myself on the 60th floor in London and New York, as well as at landfills and industrial complexes from Houston and Buenos Aires to Surat, Jiangsu and Fort Nelson.”
Following the 2008 financial crisis, Duncan turned his focus to the energy transition. He advised energy producers and large consumers on the economics of decarbonization.
“We started to see the technology stack needed for decarbonization, but achieving it would require astronomical investments, with winners and losers. Despite efforts, the global energy system remains stubbornly reliant on fossil fuels.”
To understand these complexities, Duncan recommends How the World Really Works and Energy and Civilization: A History by Vaclav Smil.
“We started to see the technology stack needed for decarbonization, but achieving it would require astronomical investments, with winners and losers. Despite efforts, the global energy system remains stubbornly reliant on fossil fuels.”
— Duncan Rotherham
Duncan joined Deloitte, drawn to its unique blend of technical, economic, and financial expertise. His team collaborates across government, industry, and finance to mobilize the capital and strategies essential for a capital-intensive transition and pathway to emission reduction goals.
Duncan believes that effective sustainability requires bridging gaps between different sectors.
“There’s an ‘us versus them’ mentality—industry feels like a policy taker, while government thinks industry won’t act without a stick. The real opportunity is to bridge these views and involve financial institutions to access and availability of the capital required to deploy technology and infrastructure.”
“The journey to net zero varies by region, shaped by technologies, policies, and public support. It’s a marathon, not a revolution. We need actionable steps, realistic targets, coordinated energy and environmental policy, and infrastructure alignment.”
“While shifting away from fossil fuels won’t be quick or cheap, advancing technologies offer cost-effective pathways to transform Canada’s unique energy and economy over the next 25 years.”
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