The Pembina Institute envisions a Northern Canada where people thrive in a healthy environment, and where people's needs are met in a way that protects the earth's living systems; ensures clean air, land and water; prevents dangerous climate change; and provides for safe and just communities. The Pembina Institute is working to make this vision a reality by advancing sustainable energy solutions through innovative research, education, consulting and advocacy. For more information, please visit Our Work.
Below are some of our recent Northern Canada initiatives.
At a Crossroads
Achieving a Win-Win From Oil and Gas Developments in the Northwest Territories
The Canadian government, as a resource manager for the Northwest Territories' oil and gas resources, is at a crossroads — it has to decide how to manage the development of the oil and gas resources in the territory. A new discussion paper by the Pembina Institute, At a Crossroads: Achieving a Win-Win From Oil and Gas Developments in the Northwest Territories, makes the case for a win-win development scenario. A win-win development scenario would allow companies to earn fair returns on their investments while providing maximum benefit for resource owners today and in the future. To accomplish the win-win, the federal government needs to review and reform royalty rates and the bidding process for awarding oil and gas leases to capture maximum revenue from oil and gas developments. At the same time, the Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) needs to take advantage of available tax options to obtain revenue for oil and gas resource owners in the territory. Click here to learn more.
Young Leaders Issue Declaration on Climate Change
On August 20, 60 young Canadians issued a declaration calling for action on northern climate change. The declaration highlights four areas of concern about the progress of climate change issues and upcoming negotiations. Read the press release and the Declaration of the Young Leaders' Summit on Northern Climate Change to learn more.
The declaration is the 
culmination of the Young Leaders' Summit on Northern Climate Change, which took place from August 17 to 20 in Inuvik, Northwest Territories. The summit empowered young leaders to tackle the greatest challenge facing the planet—climate change. For more information, visit www.climateleaders.ca and read the final summit report.
The Waters That Bind Us
Protecting Water Resources North of the Oil Sands
A report by the Pembina Institute, The Waters That Bind Us: Transboundary Implications of Oil Sands Development, has found that current water management practices are not sufficient to protect water in northern Alberta and the Northwest Territories from the impacts of oil sands development. Oil sands development uses large quantities of freshwater and produces large amounts of toxic waste, posing a risk to water quality and quantity both locally and downstream.
The report includes a number of recommendations for improving water management and minimizing risks to water, including the completion of a transboundary water agreement between Alberta and the Northwest Territories and the suspension of new oil sands lease sales and approvals until stronger environmental rules protecting water are in place.
Read the press release // fact sheet // full report.
Arctic Indigenous Peoples and Environmental Groups Call for Action on Climate Change
A coalition of northern Canadian Indigenous organizations and environmental groups has released a declaration calling on the Government of Canada to show leadership in fighting global warming at home and abroad and to increase financing to help Northern Canada reduce emissions and adapt to the impact of
climate change. The Inuvik Declaration on Arctic Climate Change and Global Action, released at the United Nations climate change negotiations in Poznan, Poland, was signed by the Gwich'in Council International, Arctic Athabaskan Council, Climate Action Network Canada-Réseau action climat Canada, Ecology North, and the Pembina Institute. According to the declaration, "The Arctic is now warming rapidly with much larger changes projected. Climate change presents pressing problems for Arctic Indigenous peoples and residents, as well as risks to Arctic species and ecosystems." For more information, please read the declaration and the press release.
Recent Events
Northern Leaders Oil Sands Tour
Aboriginal, municipal and other leaders from the Northwest Territories toured the Fort McMurray, Alberta, oil sands region in June as part of the second Northern Leaders Oil Sands Tour organized by the Pembina Institute. 
Participants learned about the environmental and social impacts of oil sands development and met with individuals associated with oil sands development. The Pembina Institute also offers Northern Oil and Gas and the Environment Workshops in Alberta, Yukon and the Northwest Territories. [MORE]
2009 International Wind-Diesel Workshop
June 1-2, 2009. Ottawa, Ontario
The 2009 International Wind-Diesel Workshop brought together a focused group of interested parties — government, private industry and non-governmental organizations — to share experiences, discuss the future of wind-diesel in Canada and internationally, and to showcase specific projects, companies and products.
For more information about our work to advance sustainable energy solutions, please visit our Renewable Energy page.
