Passionate about working with organizations that strive to embed sustainability into business strategy, operations and culture, Emily Briggs has found her dream job. As a Project Associate with Toronto-based Loop Initiatives, a consultancy that assists organizations to integrate sustainability into the way they do business, Emily helps clients along the path to triple-bottom line success.
With experience in greenhouse gas analysis, climate change adaptation, life cycle assessment, sustainability indicators and reporting, Emily puts her new Master of Science in Sustainability Management from Columbia University to good use.
“Accelerating change toward a more sustainable future requires inspired vision, strong leadership and business acumen. I thrive on helping organizations achieve business results by becoming more resilient and responsible,” says Emily.
“Every organization has unique sustainability challenges and opportunities. Part of my work is helping organizations discover what sustainability means to them and how they can address their biggest impacts. Once we build a strategy, we work together to set targets and then monitor and measure their sustainability performance. Companies are increasingly reporting on their progress, so I also help them share their story.”
Emily says she’s a supporter of the Pembina Institute’s work for its integrity and its focus on solutions.
“Pembina is an authority on energy and environmental issues in Canada and produces very sound, rigorous research. Their work is a credible resource for anyone interested in the issues. The analysis it provides is thoughtful and indispensable for those working in the energy sector in Canada and other Canadians at large,” she says.
One Pembina Institute report that had a significant impact on Emily was Climate Leadership and Economic Prosperity. Published in 2009, it shows how Canada can meet global-warming reduction targets while growing jobs and the economy.
“It was an incredibly profound economic modeling analysis that broke down, in more granular detail, the commitments that the government had made and what our options were for honouring them. It provided an opportunity to have a nuanced, honest conversation. It was an impressive piece of research and I really took it to heart.”
According to Emily, this report helped her to not only better understand the climate challenges facing Canada, but also the responsible ways to address them.
“The report really helped me relate Pembina’s work to what I love to do,” she says.
For Emily it all comes down to creating a future that is low-carbon, resource efficient and socially equitable. Her work focuses a lot on helping organizations embrace all three.
“Pembina’s work on climate change, renewable energy and the oilsands has been invaluable for me. Their caliber of quality research has helped me make informed decisions with an eye to best practices, both nationally and internationally.”
In order to transition to a clean energy future, Canada needs a lot more people like Emily Briggs, who make sustainability not only a career choice, but also a way of life. As a voice for Canada’s clean energy future, we place a high value on future leaders like Emily and strive to equip them with the tools and solutions they need.
“I think we often talk about our actions and their consequences in isolation,” says Emily. “The Pembina Institute has been a bridge between the two, not only for policy makers and government officials, but also for professionals who work in this space in order to make sense of the issues and make informed decisions.”
Lori Johnston was the Pembina Institute's fund development manager in 2012.
