Canada’s oil and gas industry, responsible for the largest chunk of Canada’s polluting greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, continues to drive climate change while trying to weaken or stop the actions we need to address the climate crisis. The fossil fuel industry repeatedly claims that reducing its pollution to fight climate change is just too costly or difficult, but is that really the case? Absolutely not! 

We already have the technology and the resources needed to reduce oil and gas pollution. It’s time for oil and gas companies to stop dragging their feet and stop fighting against a cleaner, greener future.

We Need a Cap on Oil and Gas Emissions Now: No More Excuses

The oil and gas emissions cap aims to reduce oil and gas pollution by 35-38 per cent from 2019 levels by 2030 and is very much achievable. Yet, these giant polluters continue to whine that it can’t be done and delay taking important climate action. We’ve heard endless excuses, but the truth is that the technology needed to comply with these emissions reductions exists today. This isn’t a secret, but oil and gas companies won’t tell you that. 

Technologies like electrification of oil and gas operations, methane reduction, and efficiency improvements are all easy-to-implement options. On top of that, the oil and gas industry has raked in huge profits of over $130 billion dollars over the last three years, ensuring that they have the money to invest in reducing their pollution. However, the issue isn’t their supposed lack of ability – it’s the industry’s refusal to prioritize environmental responsibility over profit. 

The emissions cap is achievable: it’s time for oil and gas companies to step up!

Easy ways oil and gas companies can reduce their pollution:

• Powered by Electricity: Electrifying oil and gas operations is a straightforward way for the oil and gas industry to make significant pollution cuts. Wind, solar, and other renewable energy sources can power their extraction and refining processes, which would make a huge difference in reducing emissions. Other countries around the world are already doing this. So why is Canada’s oil and gas industry refusing to make this shift? Well, because they like choosing short-term profits over our and our children’s health and future. 

• Tacking Methane is an Easy win: One of the quick and easy ways for the oil and gas industry to reduce its pollution is by stopping methane leaks. For context, methane is a very potent greenhouse gas and a major byproduct of conventional oil and gas operations. Yet the industry has consistently delayed implementing solutions to stop these consistent leaks. 

Oil and gas companies have the knowledge and the tools to detect and fix leaks, but claim that costs are prohibitive. This is absolute nonsense. Stopping methane from releasing is extremely cheap, and in some cases can be done at no cost! On top of that, it could meet half of their required emissions reduction targets under the cap. 

For context, oil and gas companies in Canada can eliminate 75 per cent of their methane emissions at an average cost of only $11 per tonne. *Remember, this is an industry that just made over $ 130 billion dollars in the last three years.*

Additionally, the International Energy Agency has shown that nearly half of the global oil and gas industry’s methane emissions can be reduced at no net cost. Comparing this with the costs of continued inaction, the oil and gas industry has no excuse to delay any longer. 

No More Delays: Later is Too Late

• We can’t delay any further. Every year without an emissions cap means more wildfires, floods, and climate disasters. The oil and gas industry has been able to avoid taking responsibility for its pollution far too long, and the consequences are mounting. The federal government must move forward with these regulations now.The industry claims that it  can’t reduce its pollution in line with Canada’s climate targets because they plan to keep expanding their operations. This is not based in reality. Demand for oil globally is expected to slow down this decade, driven by the rapid roll out of renewable energy around the world. While it is important to reduce pollution, we need to understand that it is not enough to solve the climate crisis. Canada needs to have a real conversation about a fair and equitable phaseout of fossil fuels. This, of course, is a conversation bigger than the emissions cap, but provincial governments across the country need to step up and show leadership by prioritizing the health and future of the people over the destructive profits of the oil and gas industry. 

Take action: Tell Canada we need an emissions cap now to reduce oil and gas pollution!