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By Tanner Smith

Provincial Government

Report shows Alberta producing more oil and less emissions

Jun 4, 2025 | 2:29 PM

The 2023 Oil Sands Greenhouse Gas Emissions Intensity Analysis shows Alberta’s oil sands have reduced emissions per barrel by 26 per cent, a 4 per cent improvement over the 2022 reporting period.

Alberta’s Oil Sands Greenhouse Gas Emissions Intensity Analysis shows that while production has grown by 96 per cent since 2012, reaching 1.56 million barrels per day, oil sands emissions continue to decline.

The new report supports the federal government’s 2025 National Inventory Report, which shows that Alberta had the greatest absolute reduction in emissions of any Canadian province or territory between 2022 and 2023, reducing emissions by 2.1 million tonnes.

This data is part of declining emissions across Alberta’s economy:

• Overall emissions have declined by nine per cent since 2015, while overall energy production increased by 20 per cent.
• Conventional oil emissions have declined 19 per cent since 2015, while production increased by seven per cent.
• Transportation emissions have declined 12 per cent since 2015.
• Heavy industry emissions have declined eight per cent since 2015.
• Natural gas production and processing emissions have declined 24 per cent since 2015.
• Methane emissions have declined 52 per cent since 2014.
• Electricity emissions have declined 45 per cent since 2015.

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Albertans can learn more by visiting Alberta’s greenhouse gas emissions reduction performance.

“Alberta continues to lead the way in responsible energy development. The 2023 report shows our oil sands sector is producing more energy with fewer emissions per barrel – a clear sign of innovation and commitment that comes from working with producers. This is why countries around the world are looking to us as a responsible producer of choice. We’re proud to lead Canada in absolute emissions reductions. We don’t need top-down policies from the federal government to do this, and we’ll continue to drive common sense progress that benefits both our economy and the environment.”

Rebecca Schulz, Minister of Environment and Protected Areas

“Albertans have always been at the forefront of innovation and produce the most responsible oil in the world. With our vast reserves, we have the ability to bring energy security to North America and our Asian trading partners and continue to fuel our economy for generations to come.”

Brian Jean, Minister of Energy and Minerals

Related information

• Alberta’s greenhouse gas emissions reduction performance
• Oil Sands Greenhouse Gas Emissions Intensity Analysis