PSIA Students lead on climate mitigation and tech governance policy challenge in Canada

Seven students from the Paris School of International Affairs (PSIA), representing the Master in Technology and Global Affairs and the Master in Environmental Policy, took centre stage at the 2026 Technology Governance Policy Challenge hosted by the Balsillie School of International Affairs (BSIA) in Waterloo, Canada. 

In collaboration with the CARE Program that sponsored the trip and selected through an internal call for proposals, Alicia, Rozárie, Cosimo, Korbinian, Coralie, Wendi, and Ivan formed two PSIA teams that showcased the School’s strengths in cutting‑edge climate‑technology governance.

PSIA’s Expertise at the Intersection of Technology and Environment

PSIA’s participation highlighted the School’s distinctive academic ecosystem, where students are trained to navigate the complex interplay between technological innovation, environmental transformation, and global governance. The Challenge offered an ideal platform for students from the Masters in Technology and Global Affairs and in Environmental Policy programs to apply their interdisciplinary training to real‑world policy problems, demonstrating the analytical depth and creativity that define PSIA’s approach to emerging global challenges.

PSIA Students Deliver High‑Impact Climate‑Tech Proposals

The 2026 theme on “Green Technologies for Climate Mitigation, Adaptation, and/or Intervention” invited students to address governance challenges linked to accelerating climate impacts and the growing likelihood of crossing critical tipping points. Throughout two days of presentations, expert feedback, and policy refinement, PSIA students distinguished themselves through rigorous analysis and innovative thinking.

Across the competition, teams explored a wide range of emerging technologies, from AI‑optimized power grids to synthetic fuels and digital MRV systems for carbon removal. PSIA’s proposals stood out for their clarity, ambition, and policy relevance:

Electrochemical Ocean Alkalinity Enhancement (OAE) as a scalable climate‑intervention tool, addressing governance, environmental risks, and international regulatory gaps.

Smart water technologies for drought‑resilient agriculture, focusing on data governance, equity considerations, and the integration of digital tools into climate‑adaptation strategies.

These proposals reflected the strengths of PSIA’s curriculum, where students learn to combine scientific understanding, geopolitical awareness, and policy design to address global environmental challenges.

A Global Forum for Technology Governance and a Collaborative, Forward‑Looking Experience

Hosted by the Balsillie School of International Affairs, an institution at the forefront of global governance research, the Challenge brought together graduate students from leading international affairs schools for two days of high‑level debate, expert feedback, and collaborative policy design. Set in Waterloo’s vibrant deep‑tech ecosystem, the event opened with remarks by Jim Balsillie and BSIA Director Ann Fitz‑Gerald, framing an intensive programme of presentations, refinement sessions, and exchanges with practitioners.

Throughout the Challenge, PSIA students engaged actively with peers and experts, contributing to discussions marked by intellectual rigor, creativity, and a shared commitment to responsible climate‑technology governance. Their participation underscored the strength of PSIA’s academic community and its ability to shape global conversations on the governance of emerging technologies.

Looking Ahead

The performance of PSIA students, both in substance and in spirit, was exemplary and reflects the School’s commitment to preparing future leaders capable of shaping responsible, innovative, and globally relevant approaches to emerging technologies.

PSIA warmly thanks the Balsillie School of International Affairs for its outstanding organisation and the CARE program for its support.