CALGARY, AB — MC Bouchard, oil and gas program director at the Pembina Institute, made the following statement after the federal environment committee today heard testimony from five oil and gas executives:
“Today’s testimony is a reminder that additional regulation is urgently needed if Canada’s oil and gas sector is going to meaningfully reduce its emissions.
"Many companies have indicated their intention to decarbonize their operations, including members of the oilsands Pathways Alliance that appeared today. But repeatedly promising to reduce emissions, and actually reducing emissions are not the same thing.
“Today’s testimony revealed that the three Pathways companies present are still not ready to invest in their foundational carbon capture project, despite the fact that this technology is proven and there is a comprehensive suite of government incentives on the table to support that investment. Instead, oilsands companies continue to lobby for more taxpayer dollars to cover the cost of reducing oil and gas emissions, despite the strong profits they are still generating.
“Although the oil and gas executives all gave examples of past and present sustainability projects they have invested in, they did not speak to any comprehensive strategies or plans to meet their own emissions reductions targets.
“Much of today’s testimony focused on the economic benefits that the oil and gas sector provides to Canada and Canadians. But reducing oil and gas sector emissions is not only the right thing to do for our climate, it is about futureproofing this industry to compete in a world where low-carbon energy will be the energy of choice. Internationally, some governments are already taking steps to assess the carbon intensity of fossil fuel imports. Canada and its oil and gas producers must urgently prepare for a future in which having lower carbon-intensity products – and credibly proving it – is a prerequisite of doing business.”
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Communications Manager, Pembina Institute
825-994-2558
