Page 8-9 - Global Renewables Online January 2012

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GLOBAL RENEWABLES ONLINE - JANUARY 2012
GRO: How has the Energy Council of
Canada facilitated discussions around
Canada’s strengths in the energy
industries? Why has this role been
important for the ECC?
Greg Schmidt: We facilitate the
participation of private and public
companies, as well as members of
energy associations, in conversa-
tions around sustainable energy
development. We have a broad and
diverse membership, and all our
members come together on all facets
of energy issues.
This is important as the energy
mix expands, because Canada is a
leader in the energy industry. We
are a net exporter of energy, and
find ourselves engaged by other
countries and companies in around
the world in the delivery and
provision of energy within Canada
and outside of Canada by Canadian
companies.
GRO: How does renewable energy fit into
this mix?
GS: Renewable energy is now one
of the many parts of the energy mix
that will broaden over time.
However, while Canada has seen
its fair share of controversy around
the decision, there is likely good
reason that the country should be
lauded for its environmental
commitments, especially when it
comes to the responsibilities that
Canadian industrial sectors have
with regards to greenhouse gas
emission cuts. Sceptics have long
said that the Kyoto accord is
ineffective, and Canada’s withdrawal
does not necessarily represent any
kind of departure from corporate
environmental responsibility, de-
spite the fact that Canada will not
be able to meet the deadline for
emissions cuts required by the
accord.
While the Kyoto Accord may have
set the broad, high-level goals
required to ensure corporate
responsibility, Canada’s industrial
sector has always set high standards
for environmental responsibility,
even in the least environmentally
friendly sectors. GRO spoke with
Greg Schmidt, President of the
Energy Council of Canada, to
examine how Canada’s energy sec-
tor is especially committed to a
national energy strategy that
focuses on responsible investment,
development, and new energy
expansion.
The Energy Council of Canada,
headquartered in Canada’s national
capital, Ottawa, is the Canadian
Member Committee of the World
Energy Council. The Council
represents over 75 members from
Canada’s energy sector including
industry and non-profit organiza-
tions, and is dedicated to the
development and effectiveness of
Canada’s national energy strategy.
According to the Council, it “seeks
to forge a better understanding of
energy issues, in order to optimally
shape the energy sector for the
benefit of all Canadians.” The Cana-
dian energy sector encompasses all
forms of energy, from conventional
oil and gas to new types of energy
including renewables: wind, solar,
and geothermal.
COVER STORY - ENERGY COUNCIL OF CANADA