The Canadian government unveiled new measures on Tuesday aimed at addressing methane emissions from the oil and gas sector, a significant contributor to climate change. This move follows the release of footage by an environmental group highlighting the extent of the issue in Alberta, coinciding with a more lenient stance taken by Ottawa in the province.
The newly introduced regulations, which have been in development for several months, include substantial reductions in emissions but offer greater flexibility to oil and gas producers following concerns raised during the draft proposal stage. This marks a departure from Prime Minister Mark Carney’s previous decisions, such as revising Canada’s climate policy and supporting a potential Pacific coast pipeline.
While the announcement represents a step towards enhancing climate policy, sources indicate that the methane regulations could have been implemented as early as nine months ago. Environment Minister Julie Dabrusin acknowledged the delay, linking it to the timing of electing a new Liberal leader and impending elections.
Notably, the federal government has granted Alberta an extended compliance deadline under a recent agreement, pushing the methane targets deadline to 2035 from 2030. This decision has drawn mixed reactions, with experts viewing it as progress in some aspects but a setback in others due to potential effectiveness compromises.
The regulations aim to curb methane emissions resulting from fossil fuel activities, including leaks and intentional releases, which have substantial warming effects on the climate. By prohibiting practices like venting and introducing leak detection and repair protocols, the government anticipates a significant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.
Moreover, the regulations provide operators with compliance options based on methane intensity thresholds aligned with international standards. Despite industry objections regarding costs and flexibility, the government estimates that the regulations will lead to a reduction in oil and gas production growth while achieving substantial emissions cuts.
Aside from mitigating climate impacts, the regulations are forecasted to yield health benefits by reducing hazardous compounds found in natural gas that pose risks to human health. Additionally, conserving natural gas through enhanced monitoring and capture practices could provide substantial fuel savings and environmental benefits.
Moving forward, the government plans to implement similar regulations for landfills, targeting methane emissions from organic waste sources. These measures are expected to result in significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions over the next decade.
However, concerns have been raised about Canada’s ability to meet its 2030 climate targets, with critics citing regulatory rollbacks as potential obstacles. Environmentalists have highlighted the urgency of addressing methane pollution, emphasizing the health and environmental risks associated with unchecked emissions from oil and gas facilities.