Pembina Institute

The Pembina Institute is a Canadian non-profit think tank focused on energy. Founded in 1985, the institute has offices in Calgary, Edmonton, Toronto, Ottawa and Vancouver.[1] The institute aims to "reduce the harmful impacts of fossil fuels while supporting the transition to an energy system that is clean [and safe]..."

Pembina Institute
Founded1985, Drayton Valley, Alberta, Canada
FocusSustainable energy, Climate change, Oil sands
Area served
Canada
MethodResearch, convening, communication
Websitewww.pembina.org

Origin

The Pembina Institute was formed following the 1981 Lodgepole sour gas accident in Alberta, which killed two people and polluted the air for weeks. A small group of rural Albertans came together to secure tougher regulations for drilling sour gas wells, and later went on to form the Pembina Institute.[2]

Policies

The Pembina Institute advocates policies that reduce the use of fossil fuels, and supports the transition to cleaner energy sources.[3]

The institute’s current work is regionally focused. In Alberta they call for restricting energy development (conventional and unconventional oil and gas as well as oilsands) to limits supported by science. They promote renewable energy sources including wind and solar, and advocate shutting down coal-fired electricity plants. They support energy efficiency policies and actions in communities and businesses, and improved building efficiency. They have called for expanding transit infrastructure and limiting urban sprawl in the Greater Toronto Area. They have supported the carbon tax in British Columbia and in Alberta, and called for stronger climate action from the Canadian federal government, including action on reducing methane emissions.[4] They have analyzed the impact of freight emissions on Paris Accord targets, stating that the targets will not be met if freight transportation is not made more efficient.[5]

Initiatives

The Pembina Institute was also involved in the "Renewable is Doable"[6] initiative with WWF-Canada to replace coal and nuclear power with clean energy sources.

The institute is a member of the Alberta Energy Efficiency Alliance.[7] It is also a supporting member of the Strathmere group, an assembly of the heads of eleven of Canada’s leading environmental organizations.[8]

The institute’s educational initiatives were moved to an independent organization, Green Learning Canada, in 2011.

Intervener standing

In 2012, Alberta Environment and Sustainable Resource Development denied the institute standing to express concerns about an in situ oilsands project near Fort McMurray, Alberta. The decision was appealed, and on October 1, 2013, the decision was overturned by the Alberta Court of Queen's Bench.[9][10]

Funding

The Pembina Institute is primarily funded by a range of project-specific grants, event sponsorships (including those from energy companies such as Suncor, Shell and Bullfrog Power)[11] and individual donations. The Institute also performs fee-for-service research and advising to government and industry.

References
  1. The Pembina Institute, About Us, accessed 2015-11-02 (official site)
  2. The Pembina Institute, Our Story, accessed 2015-11-02 (official site)
  3. The Pembina Institute, About Us, accessed 2015-11-02 (official site)
  4. The Pembina Institute, Issue Areas, accessed 2015-11-02 (official site)
  5. Transportation (2017-06-14). "Freight emissions could be roadblock for Paris accord targets: Pembina Institute | Financial Post". Retrieved 2020-05-19.
  6. Plugging Ontario Into A Green Future: A Renewable Is Doable Action Plan, accessed 2015-11-02
  7. Alberta Energy Efficiency Alliance, accessed 2015-11-02 (official site)
  8. The J.W. McConnell Family Foundation, The Strathmere group presents inaugural Environmental Leadership Award, accessed 2015-11-02
  9. The Narwhal, Court Overturns Alberta's Decision to Deny Pembina Institute Standing at Regulatory Hearings, accessed 2018-10-30
  10. Pembina Institute v Alberta (Environment and Sustainable Resources Development), 2013 ABQB 567 (CanLII), accessed 2015-11-02
  11. http://www.pembina.org/event/ungala-2016
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