Carbon emissions intensity from overall oilsands extraction operations have increased by 25 per cent between 2004 and 2014. While emissions intensity from in situ processes has experienced a slight decrease (-3 per cent), mining intensity has surged by 22 per cent over the same period.
Emission intensity is only expected to increase in the near future, reflecting the growing share of more carbon-intensive in situ production. However, the implementation of the Alberta Climate Leadership Plan will be a huge incentive for the oilsands industry to significantly reduce its carbon intensity if they want to keep the production growing.
* This document was revised on August 12, 2016.
