The Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers (CAPP) has joined energy associations from around the world in calling for policy makers at COP26 to recognize the necessary role for natural gas and oil to meet growing global energy demand and the ambitions of the Paris Agreement.
The international consortium of natural gas and oil associations have released a discussion paper outlining joint policy principles including the commitment to working collaboratively with governments around the world to meet their greenhouse emissions reduction goals.
“As we watch nations around the world struggle to provide energy to their citizens, Canada must step up and offer a safe haven for oil and natural gas investment, so our trading partners have access to reliable, affordable and responsibly developed oil and natural gas. An increasing role for Canada as an energy supplier to these nations would support hundreds of thousands of Canadian jobs, billions of dollars in Indigenous business partnerships, and billions in clean technology innovation that will support other sectors of the Canadian economy and international customers in meeting their energy demands while contributing to global emissions reductions,” says Tim McMillan, CAPP president & CEO.
The continued evolution of the world energy system must maintain access to reliable and affordable energy for the world’s over seven billion people. Today, both developed and developing nations face rising energy insecurity in a context of poorly designed energy and climate policies.
“Today in Africa there are 580 million people who lack access to any kind of electricity and that number is expected to grow exponentially in the next decade. As the cost of energy increases globally, African nations will be left behind in the energy transition should it be asked to undergo a catastrophic rapid transition at a pace foreign to its realities. Sustainable development of the continent’s vast natural gas resources is a strong instrument in our continent’s fight against energy poverty,” says Verner Ayukegba, Senior Vice President, African Energy Chamber.
Developed nations that once benefited from stable energy supplies are facing energy shortages, price volatility and a lack of infrastructure capable of bringing additional base energy online.
This is happening as many other countries still experience serious energy poverty without the ability or resources to supply affordable and reliable energy to their populations to meet the most basic of human needs. These countries are being forced to turn to higher emission sources, as evidenced by the rapid rise of coal demand, to try and meet their energy needs.
The group of natural gas and oil associations is calling for an inclusive approach in achieving the goals of the Paris Agreement which requires increasing, not restricting, energy access, including access to responsibly produced and lower emission natural gas and oil.
The consortium includes; Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers (CAPP), African Energy Chamber (AEC),), Mexican Association of Hydrocarbon Companies (AMEXHI), Croatian Gas Center Ltd., African Refiners & Distributors Association (ARDA), Petroleum Institute of Thailand (PTIT), Canadian Energy Pipelines Association (CEPA), Indian Resources Council of Canada (IRC) and the Australian Petroleum Production & Exploration Association (APPEA).
“As the natural stewards of Mother Earth, we are just as alarmed about the effects of climate change as others. However, I know we can and should develop our natural resources in sustainable ways that balance our goals of creating sustainable economies while protecting Mother Earth. Canada’s oil and gas industry is certainly a model of sustainable resource development. Many indigenous groups have partnered with industry and have derived many benefits that have sustained their economies. We now have a strong voice and are consulted often to ensure development occurs with our participation and input while ensuring respect for the environment. We strongly disagree with activists and others who are bent on shutting down these opportunities which are now at our doorsteps,” says Stephen Buffalo, President and CEO, Indian Resource Council of Canada.
