Meet the Team

Mr. Layer is a research engineer and the Senior Program Manager of the NRCan Upstream Petroleum Air Issues Research Initiative (UPAIRI).  Michael’s research program supports the development of technologies and science based policy, economic and regulatory instruments designed to mitigate GHG and pollutant emissions from Canadian and international oil and gas activity such as flaring, venting and fugitive equipment leaks. Michael collaborates domestically with provincial regulators, universities and industry and is a member of the Canadian Flaring and Venting Regulators Forum (CFVRF) and the PTAC Air Research Planning Committee.  Internationally, Michael co-Chairs the Global Methane Initiative (GMI) Oil and Gas Subcommittee and has engaged with governments and industry in numerous flaring, venting and fugitive emissions mitigation projects under the GMI, the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC), and the World Bank Global Gas Flaring Reduction ((GGRF) partnership.  In support of Canada’s commitment to UNFCCC climate action, Michael also works with foreign governments and national oil and gas companies to support their development and implementation of Nationally Appropriate Mitigation Action (NAMA) plans and Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) to reduce black carbon and methane emissions from flaring and venting.  Prior to joining the federal government in 1998, Michael spent 14 years working in the Canadian energy construction and service sectors.  He is based in Ottawa, Ontario.