The federal government announced a public engagement process for Canadians to submit input on the 2030 Emission Reduction Plan, part of the Liberal government’s Strengthened Climate Plan. Comments can be submitted through the public submission portal up to January 14, 2022.
The Strengthened Climate Plan sets a more ambitious target – reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 40-45 percent below 2005 levels (739 Mt CO2 equivalent) by 2030 – even though past targets haven’t been successfully met, even with “$60 billion in federal investments” as a result of the December 2016 issuance of the Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change (PCF).
Nevertheless, the new plan was submitted to the United Nations in July 2021, so there will be pressure on the federal government to do something to save face on the world stage.
The questions on the reduction plan, outlined below, are cleverly crafted and demonstrate a desire for an affirmative, supportive response. Nonetheless, that shouldn’t stop anyone from providing honest, contrarian responses, much like I have. I encourage everyone to take some time to provide input.
You can access the public submission portal HERE: Engagement on Canada’s 2030 Emission Reduction Plan – Public Submission Portal
If you agree with any of the answers provided below, feel free to copy and paste them into the portal. Please also feel free to submit your own answers, but its important you respond because anti oil and gas activists will.
Special thanks to Canada Action and the Canadian Energy Centre for their research, providing factual sources of information for my responses.
Section 1: Achieving our 2030 Emissions Reduction Target of 40 – 45% by 2030
Q1. What opportunities do you think the Government of Canada should pursue to reduce emissions by 40-45% below 2005 levels by 2030 and position Canada to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, including in any or all of the following economic sectors? Please elaborate on your answers where appropriate, including any specific insights on policy opportunities or initiatives.
- Heavy industry, including oil and gas
Canada’s oil and gas industry accounts for only 0.4 percent of global GHG emissions; nonetheless, it takes its environmental responsibilities seriously and must be given the ability to be an active participant in establishing any emissions reduction plans. The federal government can support the Canadian oil and gas industry by recognizing its environmental stewardship and leadership.
Examples of this leadership include, but are not limited to:
- The oil and gas industry spent $28.1 billion on environmental protection between 2006 and 2018; that’s 45.5 percent of all environmental spending in Canada.
- Flaring reduction – 49 percent reduction in emissions from oil and gas flaring in 2019 relative to 2014, even as production rose by 25 percent.
- Methane emissions reduction – The International Energy Agency’s Methane Tracker Database ranks Canada as a global leader as one of the lowest methane intensity energy jurisdictions globally. Leak detection technology is improving. I ask that the federal government not stimy that progress or make it prohibitively expensive with unnecessary new regulations or duplicative regulations to those already mandated in provinces where natural gas production occurs.
- ESG leadership – a recently released Canada West Foundation report identified that 100 percent of Canada’s top oil and gas producers have public ESG reports or metrics, compared to 33 percent of commercial-scale wind and solar companies. Further, among the top 20 oil producing nations, Canada ranks:
- 2nd in Governance – Worldwide Governance Indicators
- 2nd in Social Progress – Social Progress Index
- 4th in Environment – Environmental Performance Index
The industry does all this while ensuring it meets high human rights standards, creating high-quality jobs, contributing to national prosperity, and providing access to reliable, affordable energy for all Canadians.
To help meet the new emissions targets, the government can:
- Counter misinformation about fracturing. This technology has unlocked the ability for the oil and gas industry to produce more clean-burning, low emission natural gas, and that’s beneficial for the planet and the Canadian economy.
- Support pipelines as the safer, low emissions means of transporting oil and gas compared to rail. New pipelines can be equipped with the latest leak-detection technology; therefore, building new pipelines must not be unnecessarily delayed or opposed, and if they are, the federal government must ensure swift action to get work back on track.
- Limit the import of foreign oil by tanker and replace it with Canadian oil delivered by pipeline.
- Ensure that all imported oil and natural gas meets similar ESG standards as Canadian product, including meeting emissions reduction targets. If it does not, it should be replaced by Canadian oil and gas where practicable.
- Ensure remediation of industrial sites to the same standards that are regulated by Alberta’s energy regulator for oil and gas assets.
- Support LNG – The LNG Canada project will operate at about 50% of the GHG emission intensity of the global LNG facility average; that’s not only good for Canada, it provides a global benefit. LNG can displace coal, especially in China, and reduce emissions by 32-64 percent.
Q2. What do you see as the barriers or challenges to reducing emissions in these sectors? Do you have suggestions on how to overcome these barriers?
The Canadian oil and gas industry is a leader in emissions reduction initiatives. As one example, oil sands per barrel GHG emissions have decreased 34 percent since 1990. The industry implements technological innovations that result in emissions reductions while keeping safety and worker wellness top of mind and being good members in the communities where it operates.
All other sectors could benefit from engaging with the oil and gas industry and adopting existing technologies and best practices to improve their own emissions outputs. There’s an opportunity for collaboration that will bring about positive outcomes, while minimizing barriers and challenges.
Q3. What broader economic, technological, or social challenges and opportunities do you foresee resulting from efforts to reduce emissions in these sectors? For example, opportunities associated with economic diversification across sectors. Do you have suggestions on how to address these challenges and opportunities?
It’s possible to support strong environmental protection and the oil and gas industry at the same time.
The oil and gas industry is a bedrock of Canada’s economy, contributing jobs, revenue, and innovative technological solutions to many environmental problems.
The sector employed 599,000 people in 2019, approximately 10,000 of whom identify as Indigenous Peoples. These jobs must not be taken away.
The federal government has an opportunity to embrace LNG. Building more LNG plants in Canada will reduce global emissions, diversify the oil and gas industry, and create jobs. A great example is LNG Canada, which will create 10,000 jobs during construction and 950 permanent jobs. It offers an opportunity for Indigenous participation and prosperity.
There are social and economic benefits to the oil and gas industry that must not be denied.
Section 2: Contributing to Net-Zero by 2050
Q4. Looking beyond 2030, what enabling measures, strategies or technological pathways do you think the Government of Canada should put in place now to ensure that Canada is on track to net-zero emissions by 2050?
Renewables and fossil fuels are inextricably linked. From the manufacturing of solar panels and wind turbines to the transportation of this equipment, fossil fuels are required; therefore, oil and gas must be part of any climate plans put forward by the government.
Projections for global oil and gas demand show growth for decades yet, and Canada should be the world’s supplier of choice; as a result, federal policies and regulations must reflect an understanding of future consumption projections and, therefore, support for Canadian oil and gas.
Although the government made significant announcements at COP26, including committing to cap Canada’s oil and gas emissions at the pace and scale needed to get to net zero by 2050, year-over-year targets have not been set, creating uncertainty. Businesses need certainty; therefore, all legislated targets need to be clear and cannot arbitrarily change.
Additionally, if the oil and gas industry is subject to an emissions cap, then all sectors should have comparable emissions caps to avoid unfairly penalizing one sector.
The Taskforce for Climate-related Financial Disclosure (TCFD) recognizes this reality, acknowledging that climate change represents a systematic risk for investors, one which cannot be managed through diversification alone, as it presents risks and opportunities throughout the entire supply chain. As such, the federal government’s emissions targets cannot narrowly focus on only the oil and gas industry.
Q5. What broader economic, technological, or social issues do you foresee as a result of the transition to a net-zero economy in Canada? Do you have suggestions on how to address these issues?
Canada’s winter climate is unforgiving. Energy security and access to affordable, reliable energy by every Canadian must be at the forefront of all energy and climate policy. Ideologically motivated climate plans can be deadly if they’re not structured correctly.
Renewables such as wind and solar do not have the reliability required to provide sufficient power during inclement weather. This is a limitation and a reality that cannot be ignored.
As a result, a transition to a net-zero economy must include oil and gas, and representatives from the industry must be given a good faith opportunity to be part of creating the plan for our future economy.
Section 3: Ongoing Engagement on Canada’s Emissions Reduction Plans
- The Government of Canada will continue to engage with interested persons for future emissions reduction plans for 2035, 2040, 2045, and 2050.
Q6. How would you like to be engaged on Canada’s climate plans moving forward? How often should this engagement occur, and what method or format would be preferable?
It would be valuable for the government to update all survey participants any time important milestones have been reached, including the release of the findings and the final outcomes resulting from the consultation, including legislative or policy changes.
At the end of the consultation period, all comments should be released anonymously for public access to ensure full transparency and honesty about the public’s desired outcomes of the emissions reduction plan.
There should be similar public consultation (like this initial consultation process) for each five-year target. In addition, the industries most impacted by the targets should receive additional consultation opportunities, preferably through in-person roundtable discussions, approached by the government in good faith with the goal of finding real, practicable, cost-effective solutions.
About Deidra Garyk
Deidra has been working in the oil and gas industry for over 15 years. She is currently the Manager, ESG & Sustainability at Trican Well Service. Prior to that, she worked in roles of varying seniority in joint venture contracts where she was responsible for negotiating access to pipelines, compressors, plants, and batteries. As well, she was involved in drafting and interpreting contracts, and working collaboratively with stakeholders to ensure the negotiated commercial arrangements were implemented correctly.
In her spare time, Deidra is an independent energy advocate who writes articles and open letters that are published on EnergyNow.ca and are widely shared on social media. She advocates to inspire energy supporters across the country to have confidence to speak up proudly for the Canadian industry from coast to coast in an effort to have balanced, honest, fact-based conversations.
Connect with Deidra on Linkedin
Visit her website: DEIDRA GARYK: Canadian Energy Advocate
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