DiscoverEE Webinar: Energy Efficiency Narratives

Energy efficiency is one of Canada’s most powerful economic tools. It lowers energy bills, strengthens Canadian industries and skilled trades, and improves energy productivity — generating more value from every unit of energy we use. Yet it is still not positioned as a core part of Canada’s economic and policy strategy.

This session explores how communications can help close that gap.

Join leading communications experts to examine the role strategic communications can play in shaping policy outcomes. Featuring new research from Re.Climate and an international perspective from Northern Ireland, this session will explore what’s working, what’s not, and what needs to change.

• Communicators looking to learn from peers and share challenges and opportunities
• Practitioners navigating a shifting political and communications landscape
• Non-communications staff interested in how communications strategy can support policy change and government relations

Guest Speakers:

Amber Bennett

Executive Director, Re.Climate 

Amber Bennett is one of Canada’s foremost climate communication strategists and capacity builders. She is the Founder and Executive Director of Re.Climate, a non-partisan centre at Carleton University focused on research, practice, and training in climate communication and public engagement. Over the past five years, Re.Climate has grown a diverse network of more than 6,000 leaders and organizations. Through this work, Amber helps leaders and organizations build trust, strengthen public understanding, and increase support for climate action. Her innovative leadership has earned multiple awards for outstanding contributions in the field. She holds a Bachelor of Public Relations and a Master of Arts in Environmental Education and Communication.

Meabh Cormacain

Strategic Advisor, Strategic Investment Board 

Meabh led the development of 2 Northern Ireland Executive strategies: a new Energy Strategy at the Department for the Economy and a fuel poverty strategy (Warm Healthy Homes) at the Department for Communities. She managed the trade association for the renewable electricity sector in Northern Ireland for eight years prior to this.  With a background working on behalf of marginalised and excluded communities in Brazil and Southeast Asia she has a keen interest in making the energy transition a just one.

Rachel Mitchell

Director, Community Climate Initiatives Program Delivery, Clean Foundation

Rachel Mitchell is the Director of Community Climate Initiatives with Clean Foundation. In this role, Rachel oversees community-based climate programming, including the Community Climate Capacity Program. With a strong background in regional and municipal climate planning, Rachel has experience working with local governments on climate change mitigation, adaptation, policy development and asset management. Rachel holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from St. Francis Xavier University and a Masters in Environmental Studies from the University of Waterloo. She is also a Certified Asset Management Professional.