World Energy Cities Partnership vice-president Jyoti Gondek, mayor of Calgary
Ms. Gondek highlighted the advantage of WECP membership in facilitating the exchange of ideas and experiences with other cities engaged in the energy sector, which will assist Calgary in addressing its climate-related challenges.
Calgary Mayor Jyoti Gondek has been appointed vice-president of the World Energy Cities Partnership (WECP), a global network that links energy capitals from around the world to promote sustainable energy practices.
Calgary, a major hub of Canada’s oil and gas industry and home to the country’s largest fossil-fuel companies, has long been a member of the WECP, predating Ms. Gondek’s tenure as mayor, which began in 2021.
Ms. Gondek was elected to the vice-presidency by WECP members at the organization’s annual general meeting held in Stavanger, Norway, on Saturday.
She takes over from Fahad Aljubair, the mayor of Dammam, Saudi Arabia.
Ms. Gondek highlighted the advantage of WECP membership in facilitating the exchange of ideas and experiences with other cities engaged in the energy sector, which will assist Calgary in addressing its climate-related challenges.
“There is absolutely an economic angle here which we are pursuing,” she remarked in an interview from Norway.
“If we can attract companies with innovative solutions for carbon capture and storage, along with methods to enhance energy efficiency and sustainability, we would welcome them to Calgary to collaborate with our energy sector in this transformative process.”
She stressed the importance of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles, noting, “If you’re not practising ESG, you’re not being taken seriously on a global stage. Therefore, it’s necessary for both economic and sustainability reasons.”
The WECP, which has been convening annually since 1996, addresses current challenges and opportunities in the energy sector and urban livability. Member cities, including St. John’s, Halifax, and Houston, share expertise and explore collaborative opportunities. In 2009, member cities signed the Calgary Climate Change Accord, committing to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions.
During her trip to the WECP meeting, Ms. Gondek also visited Oslo for discussions with Calgary Economic Development, the Oslo mayor, and various companies specializing in clean energy and energy efficiency.
Following her appointment, Ms. Gondek stated that her new role would position Calgary at the forefront of global energy transition efforts and facilitate the advancement of clean technology and decarbonization initiatives.
