Speak up Canadas oil and gas emi
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- Published on Sunday, 29 November -0001 16:00
- Written by editor
Dear Paov,
Last week, during the COP28 climate conference in Dubai, the federal government released its proposed Regulatory Framework for an Oil and Gas Sector Greenhouse Gas Emissions Cap.
This long-awaited framework outlines Canada’s plans for capping greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the oil and gas sector – the country’s largest and fastest-growing source of emissions. Promised by Prime Minister Trudeau two years ago, the emissions cap will be crucial in Canada’s efforts to meet our national climate targets and reach net-zero by 2050.
The Framework lays out proposed measures to cap emissions from the sector at 35-38% below 2019 levels by 2030. However, it also contains loopholes (or “compliance flexibilities”) that could allow oil and gas producers to exceed the cap to some extent, meaning that the actual legal cap is just 20-23% below 2019 levels.
Leading climate groups have found that Canada’s “fair share” of global reductions needed to limit warming to 1.5 degrees is 60% below 2005 levels by 2030, and we believe the oil and gas sector emissions cap should reflect that amount. At the very least, oil and gas emissions should be capped in line with Canada’s national target of 40-45% below 2005 levels by 2030.
Let’s be clear: The fact that Canada is moving forward with a cap on oil and gas sector emissions – despite significant pressure from industry lobbyists and obstructive provinces – is an important step for climate action.
Let’s also be clear that in order for the cap to do its job, it must be strengthened and implemented quickly, with no further delays.
There’s still time to improve the Framework – and we have an opportunity now to speak up for urgency and greater ambition as the government moves to introduce draft regulations in 2024.
The federal government is accepting public input on the Emissions Cap Framework until February 5, 2024.
Please take a moment to share your views and urge decision-makers to strengthen the proposed Framework, close loopholes, and release draft regulations as soon as possible.
Thank you for all that you do,
Andrew Gage, Staff Lawyer
West Coast Environmental Law
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