Dec. 10, 2021

School of Public Policy prof lends expertise on net-zero transitions at G7 conference

Jennifer Winter presents at prestigious Royal Society of Canada G7 Research Summit 2021
Jennifer Winter
Jennifer Winter

The School of Public Policy is pleased to congratulate Dr. Jennifer Winter, PhD, associate professor in the Department of Economics and scientific director, energy and environmental policy, School of Public Policy for speaking as a panellist at the Royal Society of Canada G7 Research Summit 2021.

G7 research summits

Since 2005, the national science academies of the G7 (an informal grouping of seven of the world’s advanced economies: Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, the United States and the European Union) have prepared statements for the G7 governments. In 2018, the Royal Society of Canada (RSC) began organizing annual G7 Research Summits to amplify the findings and next steps outlined in one or more of the “S7” statements (statements created by the Science Academies of the G7 nations).

On Nov. 17, 2021, on the heels of COP 26, the RSC G7 Research Summit focused on climate change implications, adaptation and mitigation options for Canada, using the S7 statement on Net Zero as the catalyst for discussions.

Winter provided her expertise, along with co-panellists Dr. Kathryn Harrison (UBC) and Dale Beugin (Canadian Institute for Climate Choices), on policy pathways to net zero. The panellists touched on a variety of topics including brief reflections on COP26, choices and trade-offs in climate policy, and the roles of Canada and the rest of the world in the net-zero transition.

“It was an honour to speak at the conference and contribute to a lively discussion on the complex policy issues involved in net zero transitions. The ambition of pledges made at COP26 translates to hard policy work in Canada to implement actions matching our government’s ambition. I’m hopeful discussing my work on carbon pricing and policy design left the audience better informed about the challenges and opportunities inherent in emissions reductions and net-zero goals,” says Winter.

Climate policy and energy development
Jennifer Winter’s research evaluates climate policies and examines the effects of government regulation and policy on energy development and the associated consequences and trade-offs. Her research interests include climate policy, energy policy, environmental policy, natural resource development, public finance and the environmental consequences of resource development.

Winter is actively engaged in increasing public understanding of energy and environmental policy issues; recognition of her efforts includes a 2014 Young Women in Energy Award, being named one of Alberta Oil Magazine’s Top 35 Under 35 in 2016, being named one of Avenue Calgary’s Top 40 Under 40 in 2017 and being named one of Canada’s 2019 Clean50 and Clean16 by Delta Management.

Lending expertise
Winter has advised governments in Canada in several capacities, most recently with an independent assessment of B.C.’s natural gas royalty system. Winter is a member of the Mitigation Expert Panel at the Canadian Institute for Climate Choices; is treasurer of the Canadian Resource and Environmental Economics Association; serves on the City of Calgary’s Climate Panel, the Future Leaders Board of Directors of the World Petroleum Council Canada, and the Board of Directors for the Canadian Society for Unconventional Resources. She is also a member of Global Affairs Canada’s Environmental Assessment Advisory Group.