As Europe faces looming energy crisis, the PETRONAS International Energy Speaker Series explores Security vs. Climate: What is Canada’s Role?

As energy exports become used as political pressure in the wake of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the PETRONAS International Energy Speaker Series at the Haskayne School of Business explores Canada’s role in the delicate balance between global energy security and decarbonization. Featuring Peter Altmaier, former German minister for economic affairs and energy (2018-2021), the Oct. 12 event will explore questions facing policy-makers across the globe: What trade-offs are required to ensure political and energy security? How do countries pace green infrastructure while still meeting energy demands?

Germany has recently indicated plans to cut its gas use by 20 per cent and is meeting aggressive gas-storage goals as part of its national gas emergency plan. Germany is not alone in its reliance on a Russian supply for oil and gas, with a potential energy crisis facing much of Europe, with repercussions that may echo across the globe. On Aug. 23, the Canadian and German governments signed a deal to collaborate on hydrogen exports, working to establish infrastructure for greener energy exports.

First elected to the Bundestag in 1994, Altmaier’s long political career includes working closely alongside Chancellor Angela Merkel. His central area of responsibility was implementation of energy transition during his time as federal minister for the environment, nature conservation and nuclear safety (2012-2013). He also held the office of federal minister for economic affairs and energy (2018-2021).

Speaking alongside Altmaier to bring a Canadian perspective will be Mac Van Wielingen, Hon. LLD'14. Van Wielingen is a founder and chair of the Business Council of Alberta, and co-founder and chair of Viewpoint Investment Partners, an investment management company offering global products for high net-worth families and institutional investors. He is a founder, director (1989-2018) and partner (present) of ARC Financial Corp., the largest private equity investment management company in Canada focused on the energy sector, and a founder and former chair (1996-2016) of ARC Resources Ltd. Van Wielingen is also a co-founder and former chair (2012-2020) for the External Advisory Group of the Canadian Centre for Advanced Leadership at the Haskayne School of Business at the University of Calgary.

Kristen van de Biezenbos, a professor in UCalgary's Faculty of Law and academic director for the Centre for Corporate Sustainability at the Haskayne School, will moderate the discussion.

Moving toward global decarbonization is dependent on sustained international cooperation, capital investment and new technologies to enable energy transition. With these variables at play, how can countries balance security vs. climate?

Early bird pricing for the PETRONAS International Energy Speaker Series is in effect until Sept. 9, with individual tickets at $90 and $650 for table of eight. The event will take place at the TELUS Convention Centre in downtown Calgary on Oct. 12 from 11 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. MT. To ensure this world-class content is accessible to our global network of alumni and community supporters, a livestream of this event is available at the reduced price of $30. Registration closes Oct. 6, or when tickets sell out.