The oil and gas sector must do its part!

In December 2023, the federal government announced a regulatory framework for a cap on oil and gas sector greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions across the country, to set a maximum limit on the GHGs these industries are allowed to emit.

Emissions from oil and gas production are the largest source of pollution in the country – and without the cap, they will continue to grow. The increase in oil and gas pollution has canceled out all the recent progress in emissions reduction in other sectors of the economy.

Though the emissions cap framework is a much-awaited step in the right direction, the proposed regulations fall far short of what the science says is necessary.

For a truly rigorous emission cap, we’re calling for the following improvements:

1. To impose annual caps that are aligned with climate science and Canada's 2030 GHG emissions reduction target;
2. To exclude offsets and loopholes that would allow these industries to avoid their obligations;
3. To be implemented as soon as possible, before 2025.

The federal government held public consultations to give the public a chance to express their views on the framework.

The consultations are now over! The government's framework will be unveiled at the end of 2024.