The Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers (CAPP) has welcomed Environment and Climate Change Canada's proposed commitment to reduce further methane and volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions in the oil and natural gas sector, but disagrees with the federal government's assessment Canada needs to 'catch up' with environmental policies in the US.
Canada is a leader in reducing methane emissions in the energy industry and the oil and natural gas sector strives to improve its performance as technology and innovation evolve by continuously working with regulators, government and stakeholders.
CAPP supports an approach to methane that provides a regulatory driver for continual performance improvement in new development and enables funding for clean technology to address existing facilities to meet economically-achievable thresholds. The oil and gas industry recognises the role it plays in environmental stewardship and has committed to reduce methane emissions by 45% from 2012 levels by 2025. Both British Columbia and Alberta have strict regulations on flaring, venting and fugitive emissions from upstream facilities that serve as models of success for other jurisdictions domestically and internationally.
Industry believes through its relationships with regulators, government, and stakeholders it can deliver action on climate change while realising the economic benefits the oil and natural gas sector bring to the national economy.