Jan Gorski is the director of the Pembina Institute's oil and gas program, based out of Calgary. He is working to advance climate and energy policy across Canada in collaboration with diverse stakeholders in the oil and gas sector including industry, governments, and civil society. He has experience in policy development, emissions and energy modelling, and represents the Institute externally on numerous committees and other fora.

Prior to working at the Pembina Institute, Jan was a project engineer for Clearstone Engineering where he led domestic and international emissions measurement and reduction studies in the oil and gas sector. Jan holds a master’s degree in mechanical engineering and a bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering, both from Carleton University.

Jan spends much of his spare time either on a bicycle or exploring the Rocky Mountains, sometimes both at the same time.

Contact Jan Gorski

work: 403-269-3344 ext.111 • email: jang@pembina.org

Jan Gorski's Recent Publications

Waiting to Launch The gap between Canadian oilsands companies’ climate pledges and actions

Publication Sept. 23, 2022- By Jan Gorski, Eyab Al-Aini

Canadian oil and gas companies’ free cashflow is estimated to reach $152 billion in 2022. This is the highest level of profits the industry has ever seen. However, for the first time, this boom is not being accompanied by new projects in Alberta’s oilsands sector, or a significant expansion of jobs. It is also not being invested in decarbonization efforts to align with the emissions reduction pledges of the Pathways Alliance, an industry grouping formed in 2021.

Why the federal oil and gas emissions cap is a win for Albertans Oilsands will only stay competitive if sector gets cleaner

Op-ed Aug. 31, 2022- By Jan Gorski

Forthcoming federal regulations aimed at capping and cutting sector emissions would both future-proof the oil and gas sector for the low-carbon competition of the near future, and satisfy the federal government’s climate wishes. Our research shows not only that the emissions reductions are achievable, but also that the sector has all the technology and funds it needs to get started right away; all that is missing was increased certainty in the investment environment.

Success in Eliminating Methane in Alberta’s Peace River Region Case study: Strong rules can bring methane emissions from venting to near-zero, without impacting levels of oil and gas production

Publication Aug. 25, 2022- By Jared Connoy, Janetta McKenzie, Jan Gorski

This study, based on a real-world example of methane policy in one specific region of Alberta, shows that strong methane regulations can achieve near-zero emissions, without having any negative impact on levels of production in the oil and gas industry. Rapidly tackling methane — which has almost 100 times the warming impact of carbon dioxide — is crucial to staving off serious near-term impacts of warming.

New rules are coming for methane emissions in Canada. And not a moment too soon. On our path to net-zero by 2050, our methane strategy can be a win-win-win for government, industry and Canadians

Op-ed July 27, 2022- By Jan Gorski

The federal government in Canada is in the process of developing new regulations on methane for the country’s oil and gas sector. The Pembina Institute, as part of a coalition of leading North American climate and energy organizations, has submitted recommendations, including two pivotal proposals: that the government implement new rules fast (starting in 2025) and that it commit to the near-elimination of methane emissions by 2030.

Why Canada can meet its oil and gas emissions targets Existing technology can achieve deep emission cuts

Op-ed June 19, 2022- By Jan Gorski

Despite reports to the contrary, the Canadian oil and gas sector does have the potential to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions it produces to the levels set out in Canada’s Emissions Reduction Plan. This is not only imperative to meeting our climate targets and international obligations, but critical in order for the industry to remain competitive in a global marketplace that’s shifting away from oil and increasingly placing value on low-carbon energy.