COP 31, Turkey. Official web image
EDMONTON – Alberta is taking its oil sands expertise and emissions-reduction technologies to the United Nations climate change conference in Turkey, where the province hopes to attract investment and strengthen international partnerships in the energy sector.
Environment and Protected Areas Minister Grant Hunter is leading Alberta’s delegation to COP31 in Antalya from Nov. 9 to 14, with a focus on methane reduction, carbon capture and the commercialization of technologies developed in the province.
The government says the mission is intended to promote Alberta’s oil and gas industry while demonstrating how technological advances can reduce emissions as global demand for energy continues to grow.
“Alberta has an important story to tell the world. We are a global energy leader with the resources, expertise and technology to help meet growing energy demand while continuing to reduce emissions,” Hunter said.
“COP31 is an opportunity to stand up for Alberta’s interests, attract investment and show how Alberta innovation is delivering real-world results.”
The province is highlighting improvements in the environmental performance of its oil sands industry, including a 28 per cent reduction in emissions intensity per barrel since 2012.
Over the same period, oil sands production increased by 105 per cent.
Emissions intensity measures the amount of greenhouse gases produced for each barrel of oil, meaning the reduction does not necessarily represent a comparable decline in total emissions from oil sands operations.
The province says Alberta’s overall greenhouse gas emissions have fallen nine per cent since 2019, while transportation emissions declined 17 per cent and electricity-sector emissions dropped 44 per cent.
Methane reduction will be another major focus of the international meetings.
According to the government, Alberta has reduced methane emissions by more than half since 2014, meeting its provincial reduction target three years ahead of schedule.
Methane is a potent greenhouse gas associated with oil and natural gas production, making reductions in the sector an important component of the province’s climate strategy.
Alberta is also promoting its carbon capture, utilization and storage industry as a way to reduce emissions from energy production and other industrial activities.
The government says carbon capture projects in the province have safely stored more than 18 million tonnes of emissions to date.
Since 2019, Alberta has invested $1.8 billion in innovation and technology through its Technology Innovation and Emissions Reduction fund, which supports projects aimed at improving industrial efficiency and lowering greenhouse gas emissions.
The province hopes to use those investments and the experience gained through existing projects to attract international partnerships and accelerate the commercial adoption of Alberta-developed technologies.
Hunter’s itinerary includes meetings with international government representatives, industry officials and investors, along with panel discussions on methane reductions, carbon markets and technology commercialization.
On Nov. 10, the minister is scheduled to participate in discussions focused on methane emissions and technology development.
The following day, his agenda includes a panel examining carbon markets and the commercialization of emissions-reduction technologies.
The government says participating in COP31 will allow Alberta to advocate for its energy industry in international climate discussions that could influence future investment, trade and access to global markets.
The Conference of the Parties is the United Nations’ largest annual forum for international climate negotiations, bringing together governments and other participants to discuss emissions reductions and climate policy.
For Alberta, the conference provides an opportunity to promote its oil and gas resources while seeking investment in technologies intended to reduce the environmental impact of producing them.
Hunter is scheduled to return to Alberta on Nov. 15.
The province says expenses associated with the mission will be published through Alberta’s public travel and expense disclosure system.
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