News & Announcements

Pembina reacts to federal climate test principles

OTTAWA — Erin Flanagan, federal policy director at the Pembina Institute, made the following statement in response to additional review principles for fossil fuel projects unveiled by Minister McKenna and Minister Carr today:

“We welcome the five principles unveiled today by the federal government to address deficiencies in the existing review process for fossil fuel projects. These principles demonstrate that Ottawa is committed to improving the ways in which fossil fuel infrastructure is evaluated. The requirement to consider direct and upstream carbon pollution in regulatory reviews acknowledges a long-standing deficiency in Canada’s regulatory framework for fossil fuel projects.

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Canada’s Boreal Woodland Caribou Still At Risk

CPAWS annual review finds limited progress nationally in 2015

EDMONTON – In its third annual review of government action to conserve Canada's boreal woodland caribou, the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS) finds there has been spotted progress – with too few jurisdictions showing significant leadership in protecting the species that long graced our 25-cent piece.  

Under the federal Species-at-Risk Act, all provinces and territories are required to have plans in place to recover their boreal caribou populations by 2017, based on the 2012 Final Recovery Strategy for Boreal Woodland Caribou.

“In Alberta, we give credit to the government for deferring the sale of oil and gas leases in caribou habitat over the last six months, however, we are deeply concerned that the situation for boreal caribou has not improved over the last year,” says Alison Ronson, Executive Director of CPAWS Northern Alberta. Read More

Pembina reacts to Paris Agreement tabled at COP21

PARIS, FRANCE — Erin Flanagan, federal policy director at the Pembina Institute, made the following statement in response to the global climate change agreement adopted today at COP21:

“The Paris agreement marks an important moment in the global transition to a low-carbon economy. The agreement endeavours to limit temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius, and supports a global emissions peak and decline by mid-century. These commitments underscore a powerful global transition away from high-carbon fossil fuels.

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Pembina available for comment at Paris climate summit

Paris — Today, 150 Heads of State and Government joined the President of France, His Excellency Mr. François Hollande, in an opening ceremony for the 21st Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.

Four experts from the Pembina Institute will be attending the summit, and are available today and until the summit adjourns on December 11th, to provide commentary on what the conference’s developments mean for climate action in Canada, at the federal and provincial levels.

Our spokespeople include: Read More

Phasing out coal is a win for all Albertans

Alberta plan protects health and saves money

CALGARY — Chris Severson-Baker, Alberta Director at the Pembina Institute, adds his comments to the growing support for Alberta’s coal phase-out plan.

“The decision to phase out coal by 2030 makes it clear the government of Alberta is intent on improving Albertans' air quality and tackling one of our highest-emitting fuel sources. Given the international attention on coal as an unnecessary source of pollution, the government of Alberta's decision to phase out coal stands it in good stead to bring a better message and approach to Paris.

“The province's approach will mean significant savings for our health care system. Coal plants are a major source of air contaminants, including mercury, nitrogen oxides, sulphur dioxide, and particulate matter. This pollution contributes to over 4,000 asthma episodes, over 700 emergency visits for respiratory and cardiovascular illnesses, and around 80 hospital admissions, with chronic exposures resulting in nearly 100 premature deaths every year in Alberta. The cost to the health care system is close to $300-million dollars annually.

 “Alberta is now a leader in the transition away from coal and can proudly stake its territory among the world’s most proactive jurisdictions.”

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Survey: Albertans want more wilderness protected

(Calgary, Alberta) — A first-ever survey of Albertans' outdoor activities and values toward recreation and wilderness shows that 76% of adult Albertans regularly participate in outdoor recreation, 86% of adult Albertans would prioritize non-motorized recreation in wilderness areas (vs. motorized recreation, such as ATVs, off-highway vehicles, dirt bikes and motorboats) and88% of Albertans want government to set aside more wilderness where human activity is minimal. Read More

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