Stand.earth reacts to release of federal methane regulations

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates – Today at the COP28 United Nations Climate Change Conference in Dubai, Canada’s Minister of Environment and Climate Change Steven Guilbeault announced new draft regulations on methane emissions from the oil and gas sector as part of a global effort to dramatically reduce emissions from this highly potent greenhouse gas.

“We welcome today’s announcement to significantly reduce pollution from methane, which is 86 times more potent than carbon dioxide when it comes to warming our planet,” said Liz McDowell, Senior Campaigns Director and head of Stand.earth’s COP28 delegation. “While the best way to cut methane is to transition off fossil fuels and ramp up renewable energy, reducing methane emissions from the oil and gas sector is an essential first step to meet our climate goals.”

Under the new draft regulations, oil and gas producers will need to reduce methane emissions by at least 75% by 2030. A $30 million investment to better measure and report on methane emissions was also announced.

“Oil and gas companies have promised to address their methane emissions for years – and they could easily cut them to near-zero with a few key investments – but when it comes time to take action, they refuse to do what’s needed. This is why government regulations are so important,” said Kiki Wood, Senior Oil and Gas Campaigner at Stand.earth. “Now we need to see these new methane rules finalized and implemented without delay.”

A potent greenhouse gas released when fossil fuels are vented, flared or otherwise leaked, methane is 86 times more toxic for the environment than carbon dioxide – even in small amounts. Because of its potency, methane alone makes up at least 13% of Canada’s greenhouse gas emissions, although the true number is likely far higher because methane emissions are vastly underreported globally.

The International Energy Agency has called for the world to cut methane emissions by 75% by 2030, as one of the fastest and most cost-effective strategies to meet climate goals and limit global temperature rise to 1.5°C. In Canada, the oil and gas sector is responsible for 40% of all methane emissions.

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Media contacts
Cari Barcas, Communications Director, cari.barcas@stand.earth (Eastern Time)
Kiki Wood, Senior Oil and Gas Campaigner, kiki@stand.earth  (Pacific Time)
In Dubai: 
Liz McDowell, Senior Campaigns Director, liz@stand.earth
Tegan Hansen, Forest Campaigner, tegan@stand.earth
(Languages spoken: English, French)