You might be surprised to know that the oil, gas, and coal industries make claims that aren’t completely aligned with reality, and indeed often make claims that have no discernible relationship to it. I know, I know, it’s a shocking revelation. That’s why Canadian firms in the sector are leading the charge against new Canadian regulation, or battening down the hatches, or perhaps circling the wagons, or maybe advancing to the rear. It’s all rather confused right now.
Maybe it isn’t just Alberta, a morally suspect backwater. Maybe it’s endemic to the industry? Could it be? How would we be able to tell? Perhaps by looking east, west, and south to Europe, China, and the USA, and seeing if they are doing anything similar to what Canada is doing? So Canada is merely aligning with its three biggest trading partners, arguably following in the footsteps of economies that dwarf its own. Wait, what does that mean for Alberta’s War Room, ‘independent’ bastion of propaganda on behalf of Alberta’s industry? Would it be subject to those big fines? Yes, yes it would, and more. Beyond fines, Canadian organizations that breach the greenwashing provisions in Bill C-59 could face a multitude of legal challenges.
Anyone else reacting? What about the oil sands folks? They have the Pathways Alliance, a coalition of Canada’s largest oil sands producers, formed to collaborate on reducing greenhouse gas emissions from oil sands operations, or at least tell everyone that they were reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
It’s almost like the oil and gas industry in Canada and elsewhere are unable to actually talk about their products and operations without making it clear that they are horrific. Just imagine if they tried? Well, let me imagine.