Alberta’s oilsands emissions intensity has fallen by 28 per cent since 2012, even as daily crude production has nearly doubled, according to a new provincial government report.
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The annual Oil Sands Greenhouse Gas Emission Intensity report, released on Monday, July 13, arrived as Alberta Environment Minister Grant Hunter prepared to host his federal, provincial and territorial counterparts in Calgary for the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment meeting on Tuesday and Wednesday.
The report, which relies on 2024 facility-level data, shows a two per cent year-over-year improvement in emissions intensity — the volume of greenhouse gases produced per barrel of bitumen.
At the same time, daily oilsands production has climbed to more than 3.3 million barrels, representing an increase of almost 1.7 million barrels per day compared to 2012. Over that same timeframe, annual production grew from approximately 600 million barrels to more than 1.2 billion barrels.
“Under Premier Smith’s leadership, Alberta has seen a steady increase in production and a reduction in emissions per barrel,” Hunter said in a statement, adding that the province intends to eventually double its production. “Alberta is showing Canada that economic growth and emissions reductions can go hand in hand.”
The provincial government stated it plans to use the national environment ministers’ meeting to advocate for “practical, results-driven” policies that support resource investment and accelerate major project approvals.
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