Prioritizing a Greener Future
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Champions of the arts for the past two decades, Enbridge has prioritized the importance of enhancing the communities in which they operate, strengthening Calgary’s cultural institutions with their support. Sponsoring arts and culture is just one way that Enbridge has solidified their commitment to real change. In late 2020, they unveiled a comprehensive plan for progressive change within their company, including a goal of net-zero emissions by 2050 with an interim target to reduce emissions intensity 35% by 2030. To drive results and accountability, Enbridge linked the achievement of ESG goals to employee and executive compensation.
“Sustainability is integral to our ability to safely and reliably deliver the energy people need and want," said Al Monaco, President and Chief Executive Officer of Enbridge. "How well we perform as a steward of our environment, a safe operator of essential energy infrastructure, and as a diverse and inclusive employer is inextricably linked to our business success and our ability to create long-term value for all stakeholders. Our new commitments represent the next stage of our progression to ensure we are positioned to grow Enbridge sustainably for decades to come.”
For an organization traditionally seen as an oil and gas company, this seems a lofty goal, but Enbridge has a comprehensive strategy on how they are going to get there. Some of these tactics are as simple as switching out older technology in favour of new high-efficiency systems and carefully monitoring their infrastructure for areas of opportunity to create better energy use. On the other end of the spectrum, they’re researching the use of renewable natural gas that can be found in agriculture and landfills, which has a much smaller carbon footprint, and shifting the energy systems that run their transportation pipelines to renewable energy sources.
“We announced last year the beginning of what's called the Alberta Solar One,” says Pete Sheffield, Chief Sustainability Officer and Vice President of U.S. External Affairs of Enbridge. “This 10.5-megawatt solar project will supply a portion of our Canadian Mainline pipeline operations’ power requirements with solar power. We’re finding opportunities up and down the right of way such that we can further green the grid while continuing to deliver energy that our customers rely upon.”
Enbridge will also be applying this same solar strategy to their natural gas operations in the United States.
Through the findings of Enbridge’s Technology + Innovation Lab, one of which is based here in Calgary, Enbridge is able to work on the cutting edge of technology to create opportunities for a greener future. (https://www.enbridge.com/about-us/technology-innovation-lab) For Enbridge, this isn’t just the right thing to do, it’s also good business sense.
A Green Partnership
In 2018, Enbridge became a sponsor of EXPLORE National Geographic, a program that makes it possible for 4,000 students from Calgary and surrounding areas to attend the National Geographic Live student presentation series for free. For Enbridge, especially in recent years, the focus has shifted to the importance of access to the arts, particularly for students who might not otherwise have the opportunity to engage in these learning moments.
At Arts Commons, it has been a familiar sight to see a parade of yellow buses line-up on Stephen Avenue Mall, pouring out a crowd of excited youngsters to fill the many seats of the Jack Singer Concert Hall.
Though this is traditionally how students would be introduced to the wonderous imagery and storytelling of National Geographic Live, this year Arts Commons and National Geographic Live have worked together to bring these stories, images, and video to students directly in their classrooms.
“It’s been extremely gratifying to see Arts Commons and other entities pivot and really leverage the opportunity presented in in the wake of very unfortunate circumstances, to shift to a more virtual format,” says Sheffield. “I’m hopeful this will enable more people to take advantage of the National Geographic Live speaker series and other offerings. It’s really encouraging to see.”
Though the support of National Geographic Live through the EXPLORE program aligns with Enbridge’s essential beliefs around the arts and cultural access, their passion for National Geographic Live runs even deeper. It aligns with an intrinsic belief that we are all part of the same world, and that we need to feel connected to it.
“It used to be that yellow bordered magazine that would connect us to the land, the water, to our shared history, and establish this sense of awareness that we’re all part of the same ecosystem, regardless of where we might be turning those pages. Arts Commons has carried that forward.
“They’ve done it in the way that brings those stories and images to life through the Explorers. These great stories add so much more context to that connection we all have as part of this one big planet,” says Sheffield. “Without question, that’s how we think about where we’re heading as a company. We’re making commitments not just over weeks and months, but years and decades. These stories and our connection to our communities and to the land and water are essential.”
If you’ve never experienced National Geographic Live, this season you’re in luck! Arts Commons Presents and National Geographic Live are bringing a new virtual series to the homes of Calgarians. To learn more and book your free ticket, visit artscommons.ca/natgeolive today!
Enbridge Inc. is a generous Sponsor of EXPLORE National Geographic, National Geographic Live.
