Greenhouse-gas emissions will rise to about 26.2 million metric tons in 2019, from 20.5 million last year.TODD KOROL/Reuters
Suncor Energy Inc. expects greenhouse-gas emissions from its operations to increase 28 per cent in five years as it expands oil sands production.
Emissions will rise to about 26.2 million tonnes in 2019, from 20.5 million last year, the company said in its annual sustainability report. Emissions in 2014 fell 0.3 per cent to 20.5 million tonnes.
Oil sands producers have struggled to cut emissions as they expand production with new bitumen mines and in-ground steaming operations that use natural gas to process the thick fossil fuel. Suncor's $13-billion Fort Hills mine is under construction with production expected to begin in 2017.
Suncor chief executive Steve Williams said in June he was disappointed with the world's progress on putting a price on carbon, a tool that would create incentives for the oil industry to lower emissions. Alberta plans to introduce a new climate strategy before the end of the year and is considering all the options to help reduce emissions, Environment Minister Shannon Phillips has said.
The oil sands are Canada's fastest-growing source of the climate-changing gas and Alberta is the country's largest emitter.