Canada Needs Stronger Methane Regulations for the Oil and Gas Sector

Reducing methane emissions from the oil and gas sector could be one of the fastest and cheapest ways to prevent runaway climate disaster.

Methane is a highly-potent greenhouse gas that’s 86 times worse for the climate than carbon dioxide, and in 2021 oil and gas facilities accounted for around 40% of Canada’s total methane emissions.

The federal government has introduced new draft methane regulations that limit emissions from Canada’s oil and gas sector. But, given the urgency of our climate crisis, Canada has every reason to set a more ambitious target of near-zero methane by 2030 – rather than near 75% by 2030.

Methane emissions from oil and gas have historically been undercounted in Canada, with serious consequences for the climate. That’s why Canada’s methane regulations must be strengthened to include transparent and verifiable monitoring and reporting requirements to measure progress, and ensure that companies are taking action.

When it comes to preventing climate collapse, we simply don’t have any time left for delay. Together, let's call on the federal government to raise the bar on methane reduction commitments, and take clear and urgent action to save our climate.

Sign the petition telling the Canadian government to commit to near-zero methane from oil and gas by 2030.

To: Government of Canada Click to see full petition text

I’m calling on our federal government to act with urgency by strengthening its methane emission reduction regulations to achieve near-zero methane emissions by 2030 (rather than at least 75% by 2030).

Given the exceptional near-term benefits of methane emission reductions, as well as accelerating climate disasters that elicit an emergency response, Canada needs to set a more ambitious target to protect our climate.

Methane emissions from oil and gas have historically been seriously undercounted, with severe consequences for the climate. A peer-reviewed study in Environmental Science and Technology in 2021 found that the B.C. oil and gas sector could be emitting more than twice the amount of methane previously reported. Just last year, a study performed by one of Canada’s top climate labs revealed that methane emissions from Alberta’s energy industry had been underestimated by nearly 50%.

With this in mind, Canada’s methane regulations must include strong measurement, monitoring, and reporting requirements to evaluate progress and to ensure that companies are taking the appropriate actions.

This includes:

• Comprehensive, monthly leak detection and repair (LDAR) surveys at all sites. It is well-established that equipment leaks are unpredictable, showing the need for frequent and independent inspections to identify and repair leaks.

• Making sure that provinces meet or exceed these regulations through stronger equivalency agreements, particularly in oil and gas producing provinces like Alberta, Saskatchewan and B.C. The federal government must be willing to reject proposed equivalent regulations that do not meet the standard set out in federal regulations.

• Top-down aerial surveys (satellite, airplane, helicopter, or drone) that are federally conducted on a regular basis to ensure that companies are complying with regulations. Studies show that top-down measurements can identify more leaks than on-site inspections and are necessary to perform concurrently.

Effective methane reductions would provide one of the fastest and lowest-cost methods towards ensuring near-term climate benefits. But, it’s critical that taxpayers are not responsible for bearing the cost of those delayed environmental protections. Canada must uphold the polluter pays principle and its promise to end domestic public financing for fossil fuels.

Because the window for preventing runaway climate change is closing, I’m calling on the federal government to strengthen methane emissions regulations and set a more ambitious target of near-zero methane by 2030.

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