Premiers hopeful Canada can shed worldwide image as environmental pariah

Alberta Premier Rachel Notley, leader of the province’s New Democratic Party that came to power in May, announced Sunday the plan for a C$20 ($14.97) tax per metric ton of carbon emitted, starting in 2017, the Globe and Mail reported.

Alberta’s oil sands are one of the most emissions-intensive forms of crude extraction. “We will do our part to address climate change while protecting jobs and industry competitiveness”, he said, speaking on behalf of the province’s top oil-sands producers.

Ms. Notley pointed to the “kick in the teeth” from U.S. President Barack Obama on Keystone XL a few weeks ago as a strong signal for this country to act to mitigate climate change – an undeniable reality despite the U.S. leader’s hypocrisy on the issue.

Elements of cap and trade and carbon tax regimes are used, depending on the type of GHG emissions, which fall into two basic groups: emissions from large industrial emitters and end-use emissions.

Ed Whittingham of the Pembina Institute explains how this plan balances economy and the Environment.

The provincial government estimated that the plan, including a pledge to phase out pollution from coal-fired electricity generation by 2030 and limit emissions from the oil-sands industry, would generate $2.25 billion in annual revenue.

“The sun is setting on the tar sands industry”, Stephen Kretzmann, executive director of a Washington-based clean-energy advocacy group, Oil Change International, said in a statement.

But the panel’s recommendations also include a “consumer rebate which would be sufficient to offset the impact of carbon pricing on most households in the bottom 60 per cent of income in Alberta, and would make most low-income Albertans much better off”.

“What we know is that as provinces, we are all on our own track – we have different geography, different economies – so the initiatives that are taken from province to province, territory to territory are going to look different”, Ms. Wynne said.

Pilot projects that use solvents in oil sands in situ operations, and projects that use carbon capture and storage technology are examples of technological innovation our industry is already pursuing to reduce per barrel emissions even further.

A new set of renewable energy guidelines and targets set down by the government of Alberta, known as the Climate Leadership Plan, has been introduced in order to push the province’s transition from coal to new green energy options. “Alberta’s comprehensive energy strategy marks a new era of Canadian leadership on climate change”, said Bruce.

“From the Alberta government’s perspective, they may be hoping to get some sizeable credit from the worldwide community for tackling methane emissions”, Leach said.

He has not had enough time since winning the October 19 election to negotiate a national climate change strategy with the provinces that could be presented in Paris.

The tax will cost the average Alberta family an extra $320 in 2017 and $470 in 2018.

Notley’s plan includes imposition of a carbon tax and phasing out coal-fired power plants.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and the country’s premiers launched a rebranding campaign Monday aimed at transforming Canada’s image on the world stage from environmental pariah to climate change champion.