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Greenhouse gas emissions

The nature of the oil sands makes them more energy-intensive to produce – energy is needed to transport the earth, to break it down into smaller pieces and heat the water used in the separation process. Energy is also used in other processes such as producing the hydrogen needed to upgrade the heavy crude. All of these steps produce greenhouse gas emissions – a contributing factor to climate change.

We’re working on new technologies to lower these emissions, and capture and store carbon dioxide (C0₂).

Find out about our commitment to reducing emissions

Did you know?
GHG Emissions – Canada and U.S.

Red dots indicate U.S. coal-fired power plant GHG Emissions. Orange dots
indicate Canadian coal-fired power plant GHG Emissions. Blue dots indicate
Canadian oil sands and upgrader GHG Emissions. (2007 data)

Source: Natural Resources Canada (NRCan)
Download a larger verrsion of this map
(PDF | 304KB | Dec 09)