Traditional territory of the Wabanaki Peoples/Fredericton – New emissions numbers for New Brunswick show almost all major economic sectors are doing their part to fight climate change. But one big polluter isn’t pulling its weight — the oil and gas industry.
Since 2005, New Brunswick’s climate change-causing greenhouse gas emissions have dropped by more than 40 per cent. That’s thanks to cleaner electricity, better building practices and industries adopting new technologies.
However, emissions from oil and gas have barely changed in almost 20 years. The industry emitted around 2.7 million tonnes in 2005, the same as in 2023, the latest year for which data are available.
That’s nearly two decades of no progress.
In 2023, New Brunswick emitted around 11.5 million tonnes of climate pollution, meaning the oil and gas industry was responsible for nearly a quarter of emissions. While almost every sector in the province is lowering emissions, the oil and gas industry is stuck in the past.
“New Brunswick has successfully cut its climate emissions over two decades, but imagine how much better we could be doing if we didn’t have a heavy anchor weighing us down,” said Dr. Moe Qureshi, the director of climate research and policy at the Conservation Council of New Brunswick.
Refinery roadblock
Much of the pollution from the New Brunswick oil and gas sector comes from the Irving Oil refinery in Saint John. That site pumps out around the same amount of climate-warming pollution year after year and is the single largest climate polluter in the province.
Since 2005, the electricity sector has cut its emissions by more than two-thirds. Heavy industries have also invested in cleaner technologies. Buildings are also using less energy.
We’re proving it’s possible to reduce emissions while keeping our communities running and our economy strong. But the oil and gas sector isn’t keeping up.
“It’s not right that everyday people are asked to make changes like driving less, using heat pumps and cutting back, but big oil gets a free pass,” said Qureshi.
No more free pass
Governments need to step in if the oil and gas sector won’t do its part. It’s time for stronger rules for big polluters. It’s time to hold oil and gas companies accountable for climate change.
That means putting strong, enforceable limits on pollution from oil and gas operations. It also means ensuring the biggest polluters aren’t getting a free pass while everyone else is expected to do more.
“We’re all in this together, but we can’t meet our climate goals if the biggest polluters don’t do their part,” said Qureshi.
A full list of the top polluters in New Brunswick is available on the Conservation Council’s website.
| Sector | 2005 | 2023 | Change from 2005-2023 (%) | Emissions Up or Down? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oil and Gas | 2.7 | 2.7 | +0.14% | 🔸 Same |
| Electricity | 8.0 | 2.7 | -66% | 🔻 Down |
| Transport | 4.4 | 3.1 | -28% | 🔻 Down |
| Heavy Industry | 1.3 | 0.6 | -53% | 🔻 Down |
| Buildings | 1.4 | 0.9 | -35% | 🔻 Down |
| Agriculture | 0.5 | 0.5 | -16% | 🔻 Down |
| Waste | 0.8 | 0.7 | -18% | 🔻 Down |
| Light Manufacturing, Construction, Forestry | 0.7 | 0.4 | -46% | 🔻 Down |
| Total | 19.8 | 11.5 | -42% | 🔻 Down |
For more information, or to arrange an interview, please contact:
Corey Robichaud, Director of Communications, Conservation Council of New Brunswick | corey.robichaud@conservationcouncil.ca | 506-458-8747
Dr. Moe Qureshi, Director of Climate Research and Policy, Conservation Council of New Brunswick | moe.qureshi@conservationcouncil.ca | 506-458-8747
This story was brought to Nouzie by RSS. The original post can be found on https://www.conservationcouncil.ca/a-heavy-anchor-weighing-us-down-new-brunswicks-climate-emissions-fall-but-oil-and-gas-still-stuck-in-the-past/
