Courtney SmithSenior Communications Lead

Courtney Smith is a senior communications lead for the Pembina Institute, shaping communications on electricity and oil and gas work. She is based in Vancouver.

Courtney has previously worked in comms roles with the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD), including with their ClimateWest initiative to address risks and opportunities of climate change for Canada’s prairie provinces. Before that, she held roles at the Pacific Institute for Studies in Development, Environment & Security as well as at York University.

Courtney's interests in the correlation between environmental health and the well-being of local communities and ecosystems developed throughout her personal travel experiences. This encouraged her to focus her research on international climate negotiations and policy development in climate change mitigation and adaptation while completing her double master's in public and international affairs (York University) and international relations (Sciences-Po Strasbourg). She also holds a Bachelor of Journalism (Carleton University) and is fluent in English and French.

In her spare time, she enjoys reading, running, hiking, and discovering new music.

Contact Courtney Smith

cell: 647-797-9353 • email: courtneys@pembina.org

Courtney Smith's Recent Publications

Assessing potential impact of Alberta's proposed viewscapes and agricultural land restrictions for renewable energy Renewables support affordable and reliable electricity

Blog March 21, 2024- By Courtney Smith, Jason Wang, Karambir Singh

Companies, landowners and investors are still waiting for clear and critical information about the impact of Alberta's proposed land-use rules for renewables. In the absence of official impact maps, Pembina Institute is helping inform the public by providing a map showing potential impacts. We urge the Government of Alberta to finalize and officially release its map and rules for viewscapes and visual impact assessment zones.

Is Alberta's renewable energy industry being treated fairly? How to assess the outcome of the Alberta Utilities Commission inquiry into the ongoing economic, orderly and efficient development of electricity generation

Publication Feb. 15, 2024- By Jason Wang, Courtney Smith, Scott MacDougall

When Alberta’s renewable energy moratorium ends (February 29, 2024), the Pembina Institute will be evaluating if the Government of Alberta made reasonable changes, within the context of the lack of accountability awarded other sectors needing substantial reform, through seven criteria.

National Inventory Report suggests Canada’s climate policies are starting to work Emissions are declining but Canada needs to pick up the pace to achieve 2030 climate targets

Blog April 25, 2023- By Courtney Smith

Canada's National Inventory Report for the 2021 greenhouse gas emissions reporting period shows climate policies are starting to have an impact, but Canada needs to significantly accelerate emissions reductions to achieve its 2030 targets. Oil and gas emissions are increasing and rules, such as an oil and gas cap, are needed to help the sector reduce emissions.