Alberta’s new Emissions Reduction and Energy Development (ERED) Plan charts Alberta’s course for cutting emissions, attracting investment and growing the economy. 

Albertans have been stewards of one of Canada’s largest economic engines, the oil and gas sector. For decades, Albertans have stepped up to deliver responsible, ethically produced energy, helping mitigate global energy crises and leading in technology innovation to reduce emissions.

The ERED Plan is Alberta’s path forward to net-zero aspirations by 2050 while maintaining affordable, reliable and secure energy for Albertans. The plan affirms that responsibly produced oil and gas will continue to be a fundamental part of the global energy mix in the coming decades while sending a clear signal to the world that Alberta is the place to invest.

“Our made-in-Alberta plan to reduce emissions while growing the economy is a plan that works for Albertans. This could never be a one-size-fits-all model passed on by the federal government. I’m so proud of the work that has been done to bring this forward. Alberta can, and will, be a part of the solution to safeguard North American and global energy security. We can make real progress on environmental protection without sacrificing Alberta’s and Canada’s economic engine.”

Cutting emissions should not make life harder and more expensive. Actions in the ERED Plan like modernizing the electricity system, integrating new technology and supporting natural gas-fired generation will help keep energy reliable, safe and affordable for Albertans.

In February, Premier Danielle Smith sent a letter to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, informing the federal government that a made-in-Alberta plan was on the way. Alberta’s government is calling on the federal government to stop setting unrealistic, unachievable targets, to stay in their lane and work with the provinces without interfering in provincial jurisdiction. Families need to keep the lights on, buy groceries and have enough gas in their car to get their kids to soccer practice without carrying the burden of expensive government climate policies.

Former premier Ralph Klein took the first step by putting out the first such plan in 1998. Since then, decades of hard work from the men and women who make their living in Alberta’s industries have led to today. The plan Alberta’s government is unveiling salutes the work done by Albertans over decades, culminating in a significant focus over the last four years, and charts the province’s next steps. More work is yet to be done.

“Alberta’s plan forward to reduce emissions while growing economic activity sets a course of success for our province. The conversation about emissions reduction must include energy security, affordability and reliability. This plan does exactly that.”

Alberta’s ERED Plan outlines investment and partnership opportunities, including ways to better support Alberta’s skilled workforce, strengthen relationships with Indigenous organizations and communities, and collaborate with industry. By driving emissions reductions in all sectors through clean technology and innovative solutions, Alberta’s plan protects and diversifies jobs and keeps money in the pockets of hard-working Albertans.

“Alberta will make an outsized contribution to Canada and the rest of the world by developing low-cost technologies towards successful decarbonization. Given Alberta’s ingenuity and energy expertise, it is in the best position to support Canada’s aim to achieve net-zero emissions in 2050.”

“Alberta has demonstrated tremendous leadership in economic reconciliation for Indigenous Peoples by creating opportunities for Indigenous communities to participate in projects that will drive tangible economic benefits and prosperity for generations to come.”

The ERED Plan outlines actions and opportunities across Alberta’s environment and economy, from oil and gas to agriculture and waste management. A summary of actions is available on the ERED Plan website.

As part of Alberta’s work to address the rising cost of living due to inflation, the ERED Plan includes a commitment to explore building codes, labelling and building benchmarking, balancing informed consumer choice with property right considerations, and exploring and growing innovation and technology for homes like new building materials and heat pumps.

“The Pathways Alliance is encouraged by the Government of Alberta’s plan to reduce emissions and achieve net zero while ensuring industry can compete globally, attract investment and continue to provide economic growth and prosperity for Albertans and Canadians.”

“Alberta’s Emissions Reduction and Energy Development Plan presents evidence that Alberta does not require overlapping federal regulation to do what is necessary to meet net zero by 2050 goals. The plan’s net zero by 2050 aspiration is the statement that investors and analysts have been looking for as the overarching signal of commitment to emissions reductions action.”

Quick facts

• Alberta was the first jurisdiction in Canada to establish a climate plan in 1998.
• Alberta was the first jurisdiction in North America to introduce an industrial carbon price and emissions trading system in 2007.
• Alberta was the first government in Canada to set a methane emissions reduction target for the oil and gas sector and is on track to meet and exceed its 2025 methane emissions reduction goal.
• Alberta is expected to transition from coal-fired electricity in 2023, seven years ahead of provincial and federal targets.
• The Technology Innovation and Emissions Reduction (TIER) Regulation, Alberta’s industrial carbon pricing system, is at the core of emissions management in Alberta.
• From 2009 to 2021, $2.5 billion from industrial carbon pricing funds were invested in programs that support emissions reductions and climate resiliency.
• Alberta is recognized as a leader in developing carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS) technology, committing more than $1.8 billion to support CCUS projects to date.