Did you know earlier this month (on November 4, 2024), Canada revealed draft rules to limit pollution from oil and gas companies? This plan could be a real game-changer in helping reduce harmful greenhouse gasses (GHG) from the country’s largest polluters.
But to really work, the plan needs to be stronger—and it needs to be finalized quickly. With a federal election coming up soon, it’s critical that the rules are finalized before the next federal budget is announced, or we might never see a cap on oil and gas pollution.
As it stands, the draft plan doesn’t go far enough to reduce oil and gas pollution. The target set in the plan is much weaker than what other industries in Canada are being asked to do. It even allows loopholes that let oil and gas companies wiggle out of their responsibility of reducing their pollution through iffy carbon offsets or by paying into a decarbonization fund.
Why does Canada need an oil and gas pollution cap?
Let’s go back to 2021, when Prime Minister Trudeau promised to set limits on oil and gas pollution. This was a much-needed promise, as the oil and gas industry has been fueling climate change for decades, along with damaging impacts of climate change, including increasing wildfires, floods, heatwaves and droughts.
Even today, the oil and gas industry is responsible for nearly a third of Canada’s GHG emissions, and its impact on climate change hasn’t gone down—it’s actually gotten worse.
But now, we’re hearing excuses from the industry. CEOs and lobbyists are claiming the pollution cap isn’t necessary, or they’re trying to call it a “production cap,” —which is pure misinformation. The reality? The industry has made minimal progress in cutting its pollution and has no real interest in doing so.
Even Alberta’s Premier is backing the oil and gas companies instead of standing up for the people of Alberta. This is bad for Albertans and all Canadians! Instead of parroting industry lines, Premier Smith should listen to the people in her province because a majority of Albertans want the oil and gas industry to reduce their pollution.
The oil and gas pollution cap is a bare minimum
Let’s be clear: The pollution cap as it is now is the bare minimum—it’s the least the oil and gas companies should be doing. It is actually based on what the companies have said they can do. It’s completely achievable if these companies were genuinely committed to tackling their pollution, but of course they are not. Instead, they’re raking in billions hand over fist, while the rest of us are left to bear the costs of their climate inaction.
There are easy ways to reduce oil and gas pollution – like stopping methane leaks and electrifying operations.
Putting Canadians first
The stakes couldn’t be higher. Canadians are already feeling the effects of climate change, from extreme weather to rising costs. Canadians are paying more for basic needs, such as health care, groceries and insurance. All because of climate change.
Canada’s draft oil and gas pollution cap is an important step toward tackling one of the biggest sources of greenhouse gas emissions in the country. But for it to truly make a difference, it needs to be strengthened—no more loopholes, no more half-measures. The oil and gas industry has spent decades evading real accountability for its pollution and the impacts of this pollution. Now, with record profits in hand, oil and gas companies are dragging their feet even further.
Millions of Canadians support strong climate policy. Will you join us? We need a stronger pollution cap that holds oil and gas accountable and ensures they do their part to secure a cleaner, safer future for all of us.
Take action for a stronger oil and gas pollution cap.
