Executive director named to federal net-zero advisory body

OTTAWA — Pembina Institute executive director Linda Coady has been selected to join the federal Net-Zero Advisory Body, which has been tasked by Minister of Environment and Climate Change Jonathan Wilkinson with identifying actions to create a strong foundation for achieving net-zero emissions while enabling a strong, resilient economic recovery following the pandemic.

The Advisory Body, which will be enshrined in law under the Canadian Net-Zero Emissions Accountability Act, will engage with Canadians to gauge public opinion and determine optimal ways to achieve clean economy goals in alignment with the best available research, analysis, technological and scientific developments.

Prior to joining Pembina Institute in March 2020, Coady held a number of related posts, including chief sustainability officer for Enbridge Inc., chair of Canada’s advisory committee on Indigenous Economic Participation in the Trans Mountain Pipeline, and co-chair of Canada’s Generation Energy Council. She was a member of Alberta’s Advisory Panel on Climate Leadership, vice-president of sustainability for the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, vice-president of Pacific region for WWF-Canada, and vice-president of environmental affairs and enterprise for the B.C. Coastal Group of forestry companies MacMillan Bloedel and Weyerhauser.

Quotes

“Linda Coady’s experiences as executive director of the Pembina Institute, as well as her work on sustainable development issues with the natural resources sector, financial institutions and local and Indigenous communities, will be of value to this effort to determine the best pathways for a cleaner, more competitive Canadian economy. These pathways need to be able to ensure that no one is left behind as Canada figures out how best to make the shift from a high-emitting economy to a net-zero one.”
— David Runnalls, chair of the board, Pembina Institute and Officer of the Order of Canada

“As government and business leaders strive to limit warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius, the world’s energy mix and the factors that determine market competitiveness are quickly changing. The transition to a net-zero energy future presents Canada with powerful opportunities to diversify our economy, create jobs, attract capital and address inequities laid bare by the pandemic. This new Advisory Body should help Canadians make the most of these opportunities. I am honoured to join this important effort.”
— Linda Coady, executive director, Pembina Institute

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