I would like to share a few points about Albertan/Canadian oil & gas that seem to be overlooked.
Our oil & gas industry invests heavily in green technologies to reduce our carbon footprint.
Albertan Green House Gas (GHG) emissions are a very small fraction of global emissions, yet I fully agree, we must do our fair share to reduce them. I support a carbon levy as long as it is affordable and drives investment in green technologies. Otherwise, all you will accomplish is moving investment and jobs from Alberta to another foreign jurisdiction where quite possibly the environmental and/or human rights records are much worse.
Yes, Canada has high GHG emissions per capita relative to other G20 countries. However, we have a very small population and a significant oil & gas industry relative to that population. So, how is this surprising to folks? Comparing us to Germany totally overlooks this fact. This must also be considered in the context that a large chunk of our oil & gas production is exported.
International demand for energy is forecasted to increase over the coming decades. Affordable energy is key to increasing the standard of living for those living in poverty in the 3rd world. So not only are we challenged to reduce GHG emissions, but we must also do it in the face of growing global energy demand. Renewable energy will not be able to meet this energy demand without fossil fuels and/or nuclear energy in the coming decades ... Yes, "decades".
So the challenge now is, how do we transition to renewable, greener energy in the most environmentally friendly manner possible? The answer is by leveraging the greenest fossil fuels, like methane. This can be accomplished through continued, increasing investment in natural gas, natural gas fuelled power generation and Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), so that it can be transported to international markets that do not have an abundance of natural gas like Canada. This is called the energy transition, and should be the focus of our climate change discussion. I am proud to work for Shell which is the world leader when it comes to clean LNG.
Pipelines are a safer means of transporting oil and gas than rail. By preventing the construction of pipelines, this shifts the transport of oil to rail which, although still safe, does increase the risk to the public. Let’s solve this problem once and for all with a cross country utility corridor, based on comprehensive environmental reviews and stakeholder consultations.
Finally, I encourage informed, rationale, civilized debate on climate change and the energy transition. Our debate on this topic, much like our politics has become too polarized and emotionally charged. Let's put our heads together and find the best solution to this energy transition that is a win for all Canadians and the world. Let's show the world that Canada is a thought leader in this space.
I look forward to hearing your perspectives on this topic, perhaps the most important topic of our lifetime!
- Mike Lawton
