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Benjamin brings a wealth of knowledge in energy systems as a senior analyst at the Pembina Institute, Canada's leading energy think tank. His work includes corporate, government and community-based sustainability projects in Alberta and the Northwest Territories on issues related to oil and gas, clean energy, energy efficiency and planning.
Prior to joining the Pembina Institute, Benjamin worked for the Institute for Sustainable Energy, Economy, and Environment at the University of Calgary, where he analyzed energy systems in the Canadian context. He has also worked with Capmunda, a company consulting on projects related to energy and social entrepreneurship. Benjamin worked in Paris as a project manager for a political think tank, and also in several African countries, where he helped set up a digital university to train nurses and doctors.
Benjamin holds a master's degree in local geopolitics and an advanced master's in engineering and environmental management from Mines-Paristech. His thesis focused on the impact of carbon constraint policies on industry competitiveness.
Benjamin is based in Calgary, a city he first learned about when French media reported that a dying Russian satellite was about to crash into it – which turned out to be not true. He came to Calgary because he was told it is the energy capital of Canada. Benjamin would love to say he's staying because he wants to contribute to solving the tremendous energy challenges the province faces — but the truth may be just that he loves backcountry camping in summer and cross-country skiing in winter.
Contact Benjamin Israel
work: 403-269-3344 ext. 103 • tweet: @ben_yyc
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Benjamin Israel's Recent Publications
Putting Alberta's future energy policies to the test Business as usual not the road to Alberta's continued prosperity
March 27, 2019 - By Megan Mahajan, Benjamin Israel
Ultimately, Alberta's citizens deserve an economic vision compatible with the reality of the 21st century.
Use Alberta's Energy Policy Simulator (EPS) to gain a deeper understanding of the specific policy actions that Alberta can take to decrease its climate-destabilizing carbon emissions.
Charting the right path to mid-century decarbonization A tool in the climate toolbox to explore pathways towards a low-carbon Canada
Jan. 30, 2019 - By Benjamin Israel, Brianne Riehl
To chart a path towards meeting these ambitions, the conversation among Canadians needs to be "how do we do this?" How does Canada drastically decarbonize its energy systems, secure a healthy environment, while ensuring it's keeping up with a growing global low-carbon economy? The how is where climate and energy policy comes in, and the answer requires a long-term, transformative approach.
Addressing methane from the oil and gas sector has become increasingly popular as a way to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases (GHGs). Despite its complexity, methane can be managed effectively and inexpensively, making it one of the most cost-effective ways to address climate change. In this report, we compare three policy approaches to addressing methane: regulations, pricing, and subsidies.
With more interest on what a decarbonizing economy could mean for Canada, the potential climate liability of Alberta's oilsands has become the new focus in an longstanding debate around the industry. To help ground the discussion, the Pembina Institute has compiled recent research and analysis into a fact sheet.