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Land, Energy & Environmental Futures

Resource Base

Energy is fundamental to Alberta's prosperity with one in six Albertans directly or indirectly employed in the energy sector, and 42 per cent of the provincial economy driven by oil & gas investment and associated economic spin-offs. Energy revenues account for a third provincial revenues and just over half of the value of our province's total exports.

The dominance of energy in Alberta's economy is uniquely carbon-based.

About 90 per cent of the province's electricity generation is from coal-fired or natural gas plants. Alberta has massive coal reserves, with more than a thousand years of reserves at current production levels.

It is also well known for its abundant supply of oil and gas. Canada, in which Alberta supplies make up the majority, is the 7th largest crude oil and 3rd largest natural gas producer in the world, and the largest exporter of oil & gas to the U.S.

The future looks promising with production from the oilsands, the second largest global proven crude oil reserves (174 billion barrels) after Saudi Arabia, projected to triple from 1.2 million barrels per day in 2007 to 3.8 million b/d in 2020. More than $100 billion of investment is planned in the oilsands.

Dependable Source of New Energy Supply

According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, worldwide energy demand is expected to double from 2005 - 2030.

Alberta's existing energy supplies will play an important role, as will new sources of energy which include clean coal technology, coalbed methane, enhanced oil recovery through CO2 injection, nuclear power, and renewable energy sources (wind, hydro, biofuels).

Alberta is already emerging as a renewable energy leader. It has the most wind energy per capita in Canada, with 524 MW of installed capacity today, and there are over 9,000 MW of wind proposals in development.

Challenges and Opportunities

Land Use & Water Management

Alberta's rapid population growth and industrial development is placing increasing pressure on the province's landscapes and water resources. A number of industries including oil and gas, forestry, mining, agriculture, housing, electricity generators and transmitters, are all in competition. Add in recreational users and you have a recipe for conflict. It can also mean overuse and degradation of our natural environment, one of Alberta's competitive advantages. Past policies and approaches when Alberta had a smaller population of 3 million will need to be re-evaluated to ensure they are sufficient as Alberta grows to 5 million in the next 20 years.

Climate Change - 'Carbon Intensive' to 'Carbon Smart'

Alberta produces a third of Canadian emissions and is the largest per capita emitter in the country. The province has very high population growth, economic growth, and an elevated standard of living, all factors leading to increased GHG emissions. And due primarily to growth in the upstream oil sector, petroleum refining, and electricity generation, emissions are forecast to increase another third by 2020.

Growing concern with climate change caused by increasing greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions means Alberta's carbon dependent economy must begin to transition from 'carbon intensive' to 'carbon smart', in a way that is cost effective and does not undermine our current standard of living.

In doing so, the province can develop the technology and 'know how' to safely reduce greenhouse gases emissions from carbon processing, and seize exciting business opportunities around the world as other countries look to reduce their carbon footprint.

Policy Initiatives

The Calgary Chamber of Commerce is committed to play a positive role in shaping Alberta's land, energy, and environmental future. Key initiatives include:

Changing The Climate: Canada's New Energy Environment

Fostering the Next Great Energy Research and Development Surge

Restoring Market Functionality Through Carbon Pricing

Provincial Land Use Framework: Achieving Sustainable Development While Improving the Regulatory Environment