Alberta Oil & Gas Industry, Environmental Groups Watch COP26 Climate Talks | The Canadian News

An Alberta-based group of clean energy experts says there must be a partnership between the federal and provincial governments to advance the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.

The United Nations Climate Change Conference COP26, which begins Sunday in Scotland, will see world leaders and government officials meet for 12 days of talks. What happens there could have implications for Alberta’s oil and gas sector.

Alberta’s greenhouse gas emissions are the highest in the country, according to federal data.

“In many ways, we are waiting for the Alberta government to catch up with what the public, industry and other levels of government are already acting on,” said Simon Dyer, deputy executive director of the Pembina Institute.

Dyer, who will attend the climate summit, predicts that Canada will remain unable to significantly reduce emissions without addressing oil and gas and transportation emissions.

Dyer said Canada cannot succeed without progress in Alberta.

Unfortunately, Alberta seems to be isolating herself from this conversation. We haven’t even committed to net zero emissions by 2050. Alberta is looking outward and that’s dangerous for our industries, of course, which will compete in this low-carbon future, ”Dyer said. .

Neither Prime Minister Jason Kenney nor any of his cabinet ministers will attend the climate summit.

“We will not travel unless it is absolutely essential,” Kenney said Oct. 25. “I think one more politician flying to a gabfest in Glasgow will not make any significant difference.”

Kenney recently met with representatives of the five oil sands producers that have formed an alliance to achieve net zero targets by 2050.

“That will require a massive investment in breakthrough technology. Alberta will be there to help support that, ”Kenney said.

Oilsands giants Suncor Energy, Cenovus Energy, Canadian Natural, MEG Energy and Imperial launched the Oil sands roads to net zero initiative earlier this year.

“Net-zero by 2050 is an incredible goal. It is doable. It is only feasible if we really collaborate, but I am confident that we will be able to do so, ”said Martha Hall Findlay, director of sustainability for Suncor Energy.

Suncor Energy will send a representative to Glasgow.

Hall Findlay said meeting industry targets will require substantial investment from governments, but predicts the payoff will mean cleaner energy and jobs.

“Our sector should be preferred globally in terms of source, so if we succeed, we can keep the industry alive,” Hall Findlay said.

“From a transition perspective, I’m really excited about what this can mean in terms of jobs, in terms of high-paying jobs, in terms of jobs that people will be proud to have.”

Alberta has targets to reduce methane emissions and plans to phase out coal-fired electricity by 2023, but does not have an overall emissions target set.

Kenney said Alberta will publish an updated climate strategy later this year.