Jessica McIlroyManager, Buildings

Jessica McIlroy is the manager of the Pembina Institute’s Buildings program, working to rapidly scale our building decarbonization efforts.

Jessica is also currently a city councillor with the City of North Vancouver and works with Climate Caucus, a non-profit network of local government elected officials leading the transformation needed for communities to thrive within planetary boundaries. She is passionate about advancing climate policy and action within local governments and currently sits on the B.C. Municipal Climate Leaders Council Steering Committee and the Climate Caucus Board of Directors.

Jessica has previously held leadership positions with the B.C. Sustainable Energy Association, the B.C. Women in Energy Network, and Marine Renewables Canada, part of an extensive history of working to advance clean energy in B.C. and across Canada. She holds a B.Sc. in environmental science, an M.Sc. in environmental sustainability, and an MBA.

When not working, Jessica takes every opportunity to be in the forest and mountains with her family and two dogs. Whether it is backpacking, biking, skiing or running, she’s always happiest outdoors.

Contact Jessica McIlroy

cell: 604-992-6462 • email: jessicam@pembina.org • tweet: @jessicamcilroy

Jessica McIlroy's Recent Publications

Better Buildings for All Relieving energy poverty through deep retrofits

Publication April 8, 2024- By Jessica McIlroy, Betsy Agar, Emma Harris

New Pembina report, Better Buildings for all, sheds light on the urgent need for investments in deep retrofits to alleviate energy poverty among low-income households who face challenges in meeting their energy needs.

Beyond Energy Efficiency Deep retrofits save more than just money

Publication Feb. 7, 2024- By Raidin Blue, Jessica McIlroy, Betsy Agar

Canadian decision-makers must start making the case for deep retrofits of the building stock beyond energy savings — and zero in on broader objectives like carbon emissions reductions, health and wellness, affordability, and climate adaptation.

Federal and provincial housing supply efforts shouldn’t jeopardize affordability and climate resilience It’s time for homes and buildings to emit less carbon and meet higher standards for saving energy costs

Blog Dec. 18, 2023- By Jessica McIlroy

It is important that these efforts by provincial and federal governments to expedite new housing don't lock in design standards that fail to address the need for energy efficiency and the impacts of climate change

Green Budget Coalition Recommendations for Budget 2024

Publication Nov. 17, 2023- By Jessica McIlroy, Jason Wang, Kendall Anderson, Scott MacDougall, Jan Gorski, Adam Thorn, Green Budget Coalition

The Green Budget Coalition appreciated the major federal funding announcements for climate and nature in Budget 2023 and at the UN Convention on Biological Diversity COP15 in Montreal, and urges the government to continue to seize this opportunity to transform society to address the twin climate and biodiversity crises, create sustainable jobs and ensure enduring prosperity and well-being for all.

A joint industry letter to B.C. municipal councils It's time for local governments to adopt the Zero Carbon Step Code

Publication Sept. 20, 2023- By Betsy Agar, Jessica McIlroy

As practitioners, professionals and advocates in the buildings sector, we are urging local governments to recognize these capabilities and adopt the highest tier of Zero Carbon Step Code no later than 2025.