About ERA
ERA was created in 2009 to help deliver on the province’s environmental and economic goals. ERA takes action on climate change and supports economic growth by investing in the pilot, demonstration and deployment of clean technology solutions that reduce GHGs, lower costs, attract investment, and create jobs in Alberta.
For every ERA dollar we commit to advancing new technologies, $7.20 has been invested by funding partners.
Mandate & Vision
Mandate
Reduce GHG emissions and grow Alberta’s economy by accelerating the development and adoption of innovative technology solutions.
Vision
Alberta has competitive industries that deliver sustainable environmental outcomes, attract investment, and are building a diversified, lower carbon economy.
Value Proposition
Our investments help innovators develop and demonstrate GHG-reducing technologies.These technologies will lower costs, improve competitiveness and accelerate Alberta’s transformation to a low carbon economy.
Strategic Priorities
To achieve ERA’s vision and mandate, we will:
Accelerate Technology
Invest in GHG-reducing technologies that help Alberta grow existing industries and create new ones.
Drive Commercialization
Convene the resources required to accelerate the commercialization and wide spread adoption of technology solutions that lead to economic growth and GHG reductions in Alberta.
Maximize Impact
Maximize our impact through leveraged funding, communications, operational excellence, and by measuring and reporting on key performance metrics.
EDI Statement
Achieving Alberta’s environmental, economic, and social sustainability goals is complex, requiring a broad set of expertise and range of perspectives. Integrating equity, diversity, and inclusion principles is important to ensuring ERA remains a strategically and operationally effective organization.
Equity – ERA will endeavour to ensure equity in access to funding opportunities and in attraction, development and retention of ERA staff.
Diversity – ERA will incorporate diverse perspectives and experiences into its decision-making processes to advance innovative technologies and solutions.
Inclusion – ERA will engage internal staff, service providers, and external stakeholders in a manner that allows them to fully contribute to achieving ERA’s objectives.
Executive Team
Justin Riemer
Chief Executive Officer
An Albertan through and through, Justin Riemer has dedicated his career to strengthening the province he loves. Now the Chief Executive Officer of Emissions Reduction Alberta (ERA), Justin leads the team dedicated to advancing innovations that are reducing Alberta’s greenhouse gas emissions and diversifying its economy. He has earned a reputation for skillfully navigating Canada’s innovation system, building relationships inside and outside of Alberta, and developing a strong network in support of innovation and economic development.
For more than 25 years, he has achieved results in regional economic development, industry expansion, investment attraction, and innovation. Before joining ERA, he led the Alberta Region of Prairies Economic Development Canada in the federal government to support economic development across the province. Prior to that, he held several senior positions focused on innovation and investment attraction at the Government of Alberta and briefly at Alberta Health Services. Justin graduated from the University of Alberta with a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Political Science and went on to earn a Master’s Degree in International Affairs from Carleton University. Justin is happily married, has two grown boys and a daughter in law. He is a leader. A connector. A changemaker.
Heather Stephens
Chief Operating Officer
Heather Stephens is ERA’s Chief Operating Officer. Heather has worked with ERA since inception and has played a key role in operating and growing the organization over the past 12 years. In her current role, Heather leads teams responsible for finance, project portfolio management, information technology, contract management, governance, and Human Resources. As a Chartered Professional Accountant, Heather brings her extensive background in audit and financial accounting with not-for-profit organizations, Government of Alberta agencies, as well as various private and public Canadian and International companies. Prior to joining ERA directly, Heather spent 20 years with the multi-national accounting firm PricewaterhouseCoopers in both the Edmonton and London, UK offices, the last nine of which were primarily dedicated to helping establish and operate ERA (formerly Climate Change and Emissions Management Corporation). Heather graduated from the University of Alberta with Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Commerce degrees.
Tom McCaffery
Executive Director, Policy and Engagement
Tom McCaffery is the Executive Director of Policy and Engagement with ERA and leads initiatives that build and strengthen communications, foster strategic partnerships, and enhance relationships with federal and provincial policymakers, industry leaders, and other stakeholders. He has extensive experience executing strategy, leading high performing cross-functional teams, and finding innovative ways of creating shared value in manufacturing, aerospace, government, and applied academia. He spent the first 25 years of his career as an industry executive developing successful business strategy and international supply chains from Antarctica to the Maldives. He plans to spend the next 25 helping companies unlock growth in cleantech and clean resources.
Before joining ERA, he was a Senior Advisor for cleantech, agriculture, defence, manufacturing and supply chain with Prairies Economic Development Canada (PrairiesCan). Prior to that, as President and CEO of Supply Chain Canada – Alberta Institute, Tom developed a growth strategy that stabilized and grew the institute during the pandemic. Tom has authored and co-authored academic papers on competitive advantage, customer value, dynamic management capabilities, and export readiness. He holds a master’s degree, project management credential, has written for Future Shapers, Canadian Manufacturing, and is completing his first book on managing values in complex organizations.
Christophe Owttrim
Executive Director, Technology and Innovation
Chris Owttrim is the Executive Director of Technology and Innovation for Emissions Reduction Alberta (ERA). He oversees ERA’s strategic direction in technology investments, spearheads competitive funding calls, and provides thought leadership on clean technology garnered from ERA’s investments. Chris has spent the last seven years in a variety of roles with Alberta Innovates and ERA, most recently serving as ERA’s Technology Investment Lead.
Chris is a clean technology and green energy specialist with experience supporting research, development, and commercialization projects for emerging technologies as well as researching, modelling, and analyzing energy systems and decarbonization pathways. He is highly passionate about the intersection of climate, energy, economics, and policy. Chris holds a bachelor’s and master’s degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Alberta.