Carolyn Kim

Carolyn Kim was the senior director of the Pembina Institute's communities and decarbonization group until November 2023.

She brings 15 years of policy and planning experience from the public, private and non-government sectors to the role. Carolyn is a skilled collaborator, bringing organizations together to accelerate low-carbon solutions in Canadian cities and communities. In 2019, Carolyn initiated Pembina’s Urban Delivery Solutions Initiative to tackle freight emissions.

Carolyn is a registered planner with the Ontario Professional Planners Institute and a member of the Canadian Institute of Planners. She holds a master’s degree in public policy from the University of Toronto and a bachelor’s degree in urban and regional planning from Toronto Metropolitan University. She currently serves on Blue Green Canada’s board of directors.

Carolyn Kim's Recent Publications

Cover of Canada’s Pathway to Net-Zero for Trucks and Buses with truck on highway

Canada’s Pathway to Net-Zero for Medium- and Heavy-Duty Trucks and Buses The drive to clean transportation in 2040

Publication Nov. 1, 2023- By Carolyn Kim, Adam Thorn, Chandan Bhardwaj, Sarah McBain

The Pembina Institute’s ZeroX2040 strategy provides guidance on how Canada can get on track to transition the medium- and heavy-duty vehicle sector to zero-emission vehicles and offers actionable policy recommendations that will enable the federal government to achieve its climate goals.

Cover of Canada's Clean Fuel Regulations submission

Canada’s Clean Fuel Regulations Submission to the Senate of Canada’s Standing Committee on Energy, the Environment and Natural Resources

Publication May 17, 2023- By Carolyn Kim

Canada’s Clean Fuel Regulations will drive a dramatic reduction in greenhouse gas emissions once the regulations are fully implemented. Key to success is ensuring that fuel producers are acting in compliance and that any revenue generated by noncompliance is invested in projects that will lower emissions in the short term. A well-designed Environmental Economic Instruments Fund will help support policies.

Cover of Municipal Role in Transportation with transit bus and buildings

The Municipal Role In Transportation

Publication April 27, 2023- By Carolyn Kim, Chandan Bhardwaj, Adam Thorn, others

With the right policies and support from higher orders of government, municipalities can make their transportation networks more efficient and reduce emissions. This report builds on literature to examine the current role of Canadian municipalities in transportation and how higher levels of government can support them. The findings and recommendations of this report will help inform future decision-making and policy-making related to transportation across all orders of government in Canada.

Women in Energy Transformation: Series Summary Paper Why are Canadian women vital to the coming energy transformation?

Publication Nov. 10, 2022- By Elizabeth Shirt, Carolyn Kim, Linda Coady

Canada has committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions 40 to 45 per cent by 2030 as a critical milestone towards achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. The energy transition represents a once-in-a-lifetime economic opportunity for Canadian leadership, both at home and abroad. The coming decades bring many challenges, but with equity and inclusion as a guiding principle, we can make the future more sustainable and just. Women and girls are leading on climate action.

Incentives for Medium- and Heavy-Duty Zero-Emission Vehicles Program Pembina Institute comments and recommendations

Publication May 16, 2022- By Carolyn Kim

MHDVs are a significant contributor to Canada’s greenhouse gas emissions. Freight trucks currently account for nearly 35% of Canada’s transport sector emissions, and nearly 10% of Canada’s overall emissions. Financial incentives are crucial in reducing one of the main barriers to electric vehicle adoption: high upfront purchase prices.