Oilsands emissions intensity down 28% since 2012: Alberta report

A new report on emissions from Alberta's oilsands suggests industries are emitting less pollution. Mason DePatie reports.

A new Government of Alberta report says the province’s oilsands are producing significantly more oil while emitting fewer greenhouse gases per barrel.

The annual Oil Sands Greenhouse Gas Emissions Intensity Report, released Tuesday, found that emissions intensity has decreased by 28 percent since 2012.

During the same time period, oilsands production increased to 3.3 million barrels per day in 2024, 1.7 million barrels per day higher than in 2012.

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The report is based on facility-level emissions and production data from regulated oilsands operators and covers the 2024 calendar year, the most recent complete reporting period.

The province attributes the reduction to advances in technology, improved operational efficiency, and continued investment across the sector.

Environment and Protected Areas Minister Grant Hunter stated that the findings demonstrate Alberta’s ability to expand energy production while reducing emissions per barrel.

The release comes as Alberta hosts the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment meeting in Calgary.

Provincial officials plan to use the report to highlight Alberta’s strategy for reducing emissions intensity while supporting investment and growth in the energy sector.

The report also follows an agreement announced Monday between Alberta, the federal government, and five major oilsands producers to advance the proposed Pathways carbon capture project, a multibillion-dollar initiative to capture and store carbon dioxide emissions from oilsands operations.