Statement by Aly Hyder Ali, Oil and Gas Program Manager, Environmental Defence

Ottawa | Traditional, unceded territory of the Algonquin Anishinaabeg People – We are pleased to see the Government of Canada agree with the recommendation put forward by the Standing Committee of Natural Resources (RNNR) that the proposed cap on emissions from the oil and gas industry must align with the goals of limiting global temperature increase to 1.5 degrees, as identified in the Paris Agreement.

However, for the oil and gas emissions cap to align with Canada’s climate commitments, it needs to reflect the economy-wide target of reducing emissions from the oil and gas industry by 40-45 per cent from 2005 levels by 2030.

Anything less than that would result in other industries and communities having to bear the burden of additional emissions reductions, while the oil and gas companies are let off the hook.

Of course, for Canada to truly do its part to align with a 1.5 pathway, it would require a phase down of oil and gas production over the next decade.

We are also pleased that the federal government has supported other recommendations put forward by RNNR, which includes considering the impacts of the cap on the workforce and Indigenous communities, and the impacts of the oil and gas sector on the environment.

However, it is concerning that Canada continues to place big bets on supporting unproven and expensive speculative technologies like carbon capture and storage to reduce emissions.

ABOUT ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENCE (environmentaldefence.ca): Environmental Defence is a leading Canadian environmental advocacy organization that works with government, industry and individuals to defend clean water, a safe climate and healthy communities.

– 30 –

For more information or to request an interview, please contact:

Allen Braude, Environmental Defence, media@environmentaldefence.ca