Charles Fischer
Co-Chair, Climate Change Central

To a naive outsider, it might seem a bit shocking that the CEO of one of the largest oilsands companies is co-chairing an environmental committee. However, Charles Fischer is well known in the oilpatch as a man who rolls up his sleeves and gets things done. So it is perfect synergy that he co-chairs Climate Change Central, a not-for-profit public-private partnership promoting the reduction of Alberta's greenhouse gas emissions among businesses, governments and other stakeholders in the province. Worried about the lack of credible, independently researched data on energy matters, in February 2004, the president and CEO of Nexen Inc. joined the leadership board of the University of Calgary's new Institute for Sustainable Energy, Environment and the Economy. This world-class facility will provide the much-needed hard scientific findings to better inform public policy decisions on contentious energy issues. Indeed, as the head of Nexen Inc., Fischer considers the social and environmental impact of every business venture. In May 2005, Charles Fischer was honoured with the 2005 President's Award by the Calgary Strategic Leadership Forum for leading Nexen to exceptional financial results and to its standing as a principal global player in the oil and gas industry. In addition to its international exploration activities, last year Nexen began a $3.5-billion project in the Athabasca oilsands, the fourth major integrated Alberta oilsands project. In June 2004, Fischer, 55, received an honorary degree from the University of Calgary. The new Alberta Children's Hospital, whose $54-million capital campaign he co-chaired in 2002, is currently under construction and scheduled to open in August 2006. Fischer is an active community member, volunteering his expertise and skills to many not-for-profit groups, boards and industry-related organizations, including the University of Calgary, Hull Child and Family Foundation, Syncrude Canada Ltd. and the Alberta Economic Development Authority. - DH

Why do we need environmental organizations like Climate Change Central when the Kyoto Protocol exists?
The whole point of Climate Change Central is not to focus on the Kyoto Protocol but to focus on initiatives that will lead to energy efficiency. We work collaboratively because we all have a view that we should make investments to be more energy efficient and make more discriminating choices.Locally, we have been part of the Voluntary Challenge Registry since it was created and we have, through investments and energy efficiency and in capturing flared gas and vented gas, reduced our emissions by over two million tonnes since we started that program. We are also participating in a renewable energy project and a wind project called Soderglen. That project will generate 70 or 75 megawatts of energy. If we're working in a country that doesn\\\\'t have environmental standards, it doesn't matter; we would apply the same standards we have in Canada.

Who do you think is the greatest Albertan ever?
I think we've been fortunate that we live in a province that has a true entrepreneurial spirit and it's fostered broadly. Today's Alberta is the result of a collection of good decisions made over many years and that have built on one another. It's created the dynamic culture that we have in this province and the ability to get things done.

In 100 years, will you warrant your own chapter in the history books, a footnote to great events or a single Google hit?
I think that's for history to determine and I don't do things for recognition. I do things because I believe they're the right things to do and I enjoy accomplishing the things I set out to do. At the end of the day whether I'm remembered or not doesn't matter so long as I can look back and feel good about the things I accomplished.