{"id":890,"date":"2021-05-07T13:57:40","date_gmt":"2021-05-07T13:57:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/climatetransform.com\/?p=890"},"modified":"2021-06-20T10:46:19","modified_gmt":"2021-06-20T10:46:19","slug":"canadian-oil-sands-in-2021-latest-news-and-updates","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/climatetransform.com\/canadian-oil-sands-in-2021-latest-news-and-updates\/","title":{"rendered":"Canadian Oil Sands in 2021: Latest News and Updates"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed aligncenter is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<div class=\"jeg_video_container jeg_video_content\"><iframe title=\"Canadian Oil Sands in 2021: Latest News and Updates\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/TxQFqlu6l8E?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption>This video presents the latest news and updates about the Canadian oil sands<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>18th June 2021<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2>Canada\u2019s oil sands producers aim for net-zero emissions by 2050 without reducing oil production and expecting huge government subsidies<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Fossil fuel companies representing 90 per cent of Canada\u2019s oil sands production have announced a united target to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. The goal involves the firms working collectively together and with the federal and Alberta governments. This would help Canada meet its own climate targets, for example the Paris Agreement commitments and 2050 net-zero aspirations.<span id='easy-footnote-1-890' class='easy-footnote-margin-adjust'><\/span><span class='easy-footnote'><a href='https:\/\/climatetransform.com\/canadian-oil-sands-in-2021-latest-news-and-updates\/#easy-footnote-bottom-1-890' title='www.worldoil.com. (n.d.). Canada\u2019s major oil sands producers unite to achieve net zero 2050 carbon emission goals. [online] Available at: https:\/\/www.worldoil.com\/news\/2021\/6\/9\/canada-s-major-oil-sands-producers-unite-to-achieve-net-zero-2050-carbon-emission-goals.'><sup>1<\/sup><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, the plan includes no mention of reducing oil production. Decreasing the consumption of fossil fuels is absolutely critical to reducing global warming. To hide this, the \u2018net zero\u2019 initiative is limited to emissions from the extraction process only.<span id='easy-footnote-2-890' class='easy-footnote-margin-adjust'><\/span><span class='easy-footnote'><a href='https:\/\/climatetransform.com\/canadian-oil-sands-in-2021-latest-news-and-updates\/#easy-footnote-bottom-2-890' title='Climate Home News. (2021). Tar sands companies aim for \u201cnet zero\u201d by 2050 &amp;#8211; with no plan to extract less oil. [online] Available at: https:\/\/www.climatechangenews.com\/2021\/06\/10\/tar-sands-companies-aim-net-zero-2050-no-plan-extract-less-oil\/.'><sup>2<\/sup><\/a><\/span> These are as much as 2.2 times the emissions of conventional North American crude. But a much larger proportion of emissions come from consumers burning the oil post-refinement. These are conveniently omitted from the \u2018net-zero\u2019 strategy.<span id='easy-footnote-3-890' class='easy-footnote-margin-adjust'><\/span><span class='easy-footnote'><a href='https:\/\/climatetransform.com\/canadian-oil-sands-in-2021-latest-news-and-updates\/#easy-footnote-bottom-3-890' title='Treehugger. (n.d.). Net-Zero Efforts of Canadian Oil Sands Companies Are Greenwashing. [online] Available at: https:\/\/www.treehugger.com\/canadian-oil-sands-companies-to-be-net-zero-by-2050-or-not-5188795 [Accessed 18 Jun. 2021].'><sup>3<\/sup><\/a><\/span>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In addition, the cash-rich oil companies are expecting significant financial support for their scheme, using taxpayers money. Reducing emissions means using a carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS) trunkline. This requires large investments from the Canadian government, in addition to the industry, to research and develop CCUS.<span id='easy-footnote-4-890' class='easy-footnote-margin-adjust'><\/span><span class='easy-footnote'><a href='https:\/\/climatetransform.com\/canadian-oil-sands-in-2021-latest-news-and-updates\/#easy-footnote-bottom-4-890' title='www.worldoil.com. (n.d.). Canada\u2019s major oil sands producers unite to achieve net zero 2050 carbon emission goals. [online] Available at: https:\/\/www.worldoil.com\/news\/2021\/6\/9\/canada-s-major-oil-sands-producers-unite-to-achieve-net-zero-2050-carbon-emission-goals.'><sup>4<\/sup><\/a><\/span> This is because CCUS technology at this scale does not even exist yet.<span id='easy-footnote-5-890' class='easy-footnote-margin-adjust'><\/span><span class='easy-footnote'><a href='https:\/\/climatetransform.com\/canadian-oil-sands-in-2021-latest-news-and-updates\/#easy-footnote-bottom-5-890' title='Treehugger. (n.d.). Net-Zero Efforts of Canadian Oil Sands Companies Are Greenwashing. [online] Available at: https:\/\/www.treehugger.com\/canadian-oil-sands-companies-to-be-net-zero-by-2050-or-not-5188795.'><sup>5<\/sup><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The motivation behind the move is purely profit-driven. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau wants to increase the country\u2019s carbon price as they edge closer to nationwide net-zero by 2050. Therefore, fossil fuel companies are under pressure to minimise their carbon footprints.<span id='easy-footnote-6-890' class='easy-footnote-margin-adjust'><\/span><span class='easy-footnote'><a href='https:\/\/climatetransform.com\/canadian-oil-sands-in-2021-latest-news-and-updates\/#easy-footnote-bottom-6-890' title='Reuters. (2021). Canada\u2019s oil sands producers form alliance to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. [online] Available at: https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/business\/sustainable-business\/canadas-oil-sands-producers-form-alliance-achieve-net-zero-emissions-by-2050-2021-06-09\/ [Accessed 18 Jun. 2021].'><sup>6<\/sup><\/a><\/span> Making false claims about \u2018net-zero\u2019 emissions targets whilst continuing to produce vast quantities of fossil fuel is the very definition of greenwashing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>21st May 2021<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2>The UK government celebrates Canadian oil sands supporters on COP26 climate champions list&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Earlier this month, the UK celebrated 26 \u201cexceptional individuals\u201d for their efforts to move Canada to net-zero emissions. Five of those selected work for \u2013 or are involved in financing \u2013 the fossil fuel industry, including Canada\u2019s oil sands.<span id='easy-footnote-7-890' class='easy-footnote-margin-adjust'><\/span><span class='easy-footnote'><a href='https:\/\/climatetransform.com\/canadian-oil-sands-in-2021-latest-news-and-updates\/#easy-footnote-bottom-7-890' title='Barnett, A. and Collett-White, R. (2021). Government defends praising tar sands industry figures as COP26 \u201cclimate champions.\u201d [online] Nation of Change. Available at: https:\/\/www.nationofchange.org\/2021\/05\/10\/government-defends-praising-tar-sands-industry-figures-as-cop26-climate-champions\/ [Accessed 21 May 2021].'><sup>7<\/sup><\/a><\/span> These \u201cCanadian climate champions\u201d were chosen to mark six months until the international COP26 climate summit in Glasgow. The talks will focus on preventing climate change by transitioning away from fossil fuels.<span id='easy-footnote-8-890' class='easy-footnote-margin-adjust'><\/span><span class='easy-footnote'><a href='https:\/\/climatetransform.com\/canadian-oil-sands-in-2021-latest-news-and-updates\/#easy-footnote-bottom-8-890' title='The Independent. (2021). UK puts Canadian oil executive on Cop26 \u201cclimate champions\u201d list. [online] Available at: https:\/\/www.independent.co.uk\/climate-change\/oil-executive-cop26-martha-hall-findlay-b1846320.html [Accessed 21 May 2021].'><sup>8<\/sup><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Martha Hall Findlay, Chief Sustainability Officer at Suncor Energy, was one of those praised for their environmental contributions.<span id='easy-footnote-9-890' class='easy-footnote-margin-adjust'><\/span><span class='easy-footnote'><a href='https:\/\/climatetransform.com\/canadian-oil-sands-in-2021-latest-news-and-updates\/#easy-footnote-bottom-9-890' title='The Independent. (2021). UK puts Canadian oil executive on Cop26 \u201cclimate champions\u201d list. [online] Available at: https:\/\/www.independent.co.uk\/climate-change\/oil-executive-cop26-martha-hall-findlay-b1846320.html [Accessed 21 May 2021].'><sup>9<\/sup><\/a><\/span> Suncor Energy\u2019s business is rooted in Alberta. They hold one of the largest positions in Canada\u2019s oil sands, according to their own website.<span id='easy-footnote-10-890' class='easy-footnote-margin-adjust'><\/span><span class='easy-footnote'><a href='https:\/\/climatetransform.com\/canadian-oil-sands-in-2021-latest-news-and-updates\/#easy-footnote-bottom-10-890' title='Suncor.com. (2020). Oil Sands \u2013 About Us | Suncor. [online] Available at: https:\/\/www.suncor.com\/en-ca\/about-us\/oil-sands [Accessed 21 May 2021].'><sup>10<\/sup><\/a><\/span> Canada is the only G7 nation whose greenhouse gas emissions have grown since the Paris Agreement was signed in 2015. This is predominantly because of its tar sands industry.<span id='easy-footnote-11-890' class='easy-footnote-margin-adjust'><\/span><span class='easy-footnote'><a href='https:\/\/climatetransform.com\/canadian-oil-sands-in-2021-latest-news-and-updates\/#easy-footnote-bottom-11-890' title='Austen, I. and Flavelle, C. (2021). Trudeau Was a Global Climate Hero. Now Canada Risks Falling Behind. The New York Times. [online] 21 Apr. Available at: https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2021\/04\/21\/world\/canada\/trudeau-climate-oil-sands.html.'><sup>11<\/sup><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Valerie Chort, Vice President of Corporate Citizenship and Sustainability at the Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) also made the list. Since 2016, the RBC has invested USD $160 billion in fossil fuels.<span id='easy-footnote-12-890' class='easy-footnote-margin-adjust'><\/span><span class='easy-footnote'><a href='https:\/\/climatetransform.com\/canadian-oil-sands-in-2021-latest-news-and-updates\/#easy-footnote-bottom-12-890' title='Barnett, A. and Collett-White, R. (2021). Government defends praising tar sands industry figures as COP26 \u201cclimate champions.\u201d [online] Nation of Change. Available at: https:\/\/www.nationofchange.org\/2021\/05\/10\/government-defends-praising-tar-sands-industry-figures-as-cop26-climate-champions\/ [Accessed 21 May 2021].'><sup>12<\/sup><\/a><\/span> It was Canada\u2019s biggest financier of fossil fuels in 2020. The RBC was also named among the 12 worst banks for financing fossil fuels globally between 2016 and 2020.<span id='easy-footnote-13-890' class='easy-footnote-margin-adjust'><\/span><span class='easy-footnote'><a href='https:\/\/climatetransform.com\/canadian-oil-sands-in-2021-latest-news-and-updates\/#easy-footnote-bottom-13-890' title='financialpost. (n.d.). In energy-reliant Canada, banks and investors face dilemma in meeting emissions target. [online] Available at: https:\/\/financialpost.com\/fp-finance\/banking\/in-energy-reliant-canada-banks-and-investors-face-dilemma-in-meeting-emissions-target-3 [Accessed 21 May 2021].'><sup>13<\/sup><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>23rd April 2021<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2>First Nations challenge the oil sands industry over the Peace River Valley&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>First Nations Indigenous Peoples have raised funds to fight the further development of oil sands in Canada\u2019s courts.<span id='easy-footnote-14-890' class='easy-footnote-margin-adjust'><\/span><span class='easy-footnote'><a href='https:\/\/climatetransform.com\/canadian-oil-sands-in-2021-latest-news-and-updates\/#easy-footnote-bottom-14-890' title='rabble.ca. (2021). First Nations exercising treaty rights to fight tar sands and Site C development. [online] Available at: https:\/\/rabble.ca\/blogs\/bloggers\/activist-toolkit-blog\/2021\/03\/first-nations-exercising-treaty-rights-fight-tar-sands [Accessed 1 Apr. 2021].'><sup>14<\/sup><\/a><\/span> Canadian NGO Respecting Aboriginal Values and Environmental Needs (RAVEN) is providing support. RAVEN has helped various Indigenous Peoples to fundraise for other legal battles with notable success.<span id='easy-footnote-15-890' class='easy-footnote-margin-adjust'><\/span><span class='easy-footnote'><a href='https:\/\/climatetransform.com\/canadian-oil-sands-in-2021-latest-news-and-updates\/#easy-footnote-bottom-15-890' title='RAVEN Trust. (n.d.). How We Work. [online] Available at: https:\/\/raventrust.com\/how-we-work\/ [Accessed 1 Apr. 2021].'><sup>15<\/sup><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The West Moberly First Nations will begin a 120-day trial in spring 2022.<span id='easy-footnote-16-890' class='easy-footnote-margin-adjust'><\/span><span class='easy-footnote'><a href='https:\/\/climatetransform.com\/canadian-oil-sands-in-2021-latest-news-and-updates\/#easy-footnote-bottom-16-890' title='rabble.ca. (2021). First Nations exercising treaty rights to fight tar sands and Site C development. [online] Available at: https:\/\/rabble.ca\/blogs\/bloggers\/activist-toolkit-blog\/2021\/03\/first-nations-exercising-treaty-rights-fight-tar-sands [Accessed 1 Apr. 2021].'><sup>16<\/sup><\/a><\/span> They aim to halt construction on BC Hydro\u2019s Site C Clean Energy Project (Site C).<span id='easy-footnote-17-890' class='easy-footnote-margin-adjust'><\/span><span class='easy-footnote'><a href='https:\/\/climatetransform.com\/canadian-oil-sands-in-2021-latest-news-and-updates\/#easy-footnote-bottom-17-890' title='rabble.ca. (2021). First Nations exercising treaty rights to fight tar sands and Site C development. [online] Available at: https:\/\/rabble.ca\/blogs\/bloggers\/activist-toolkit-blog\/2021\/03\/first-nations-exercising-treaty-rights-fight-tar-sands [Accessed 1 Apr. 2021].'><sup>17<\/sup><\/a><\/span> They also want to restore the Peace River Valley to its natural state.<span id='easy-footnote-18-890' class='easy-footnote-margin-adjust'><\/span><span class='easy-footnote'><a href='https:\/\/climatetransform.com\/canadian-oil-sands-in-2021-latest-news-and-updates\/#easy-footnote-bottom-18-890' title='rabble.ca. (2021). First Nations exercising treaty rights to fight tar sands and Site C development. [online] Available at: https:\/\/rabble.ca\/blogs\/bloggers\/activist-toolkit-blog\/2021\/03\/first-nations-exercising-treaty-rights-fight-tar-sands [Accessed 1 Apr. 2021].'><sup>18<\/sup><\/a><\/span> Site C is a third dam and hydroelectric generating station on the Peace River.<span id='easy-footnote-19-890' class='easy-footnote-margin-adjust'><\/span><span class='easy-footnote'><a href='https:\/\/climatetransform.com\/canadian-oil-sands-in-2021-latest-news-and-updates\/#easy-footnote-bottom-19-890' title='www.bchydro.com. (n.d.). Site C Clean Energy Project. [online] Available at: https:\/\/www.bchydro.com\/energy-in-bc\/projects\/site_c.html.'><sup>19<\/sup><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Restoring the Peace River Valley would be a huge victory over Canada\u2019s oil sands industry. Merely having the courts agree to hear these cases is a success in its own right.<span id='easy-footnote-20-890' class='easy-footnote-margin-adjust'><\/span><span class='easy-footnote'><a href='https:\/\/climatetransform.com\/canadian-oil-sands-in-2021-latest-news-and-updates\/#easy-footnote-bottom-20-890' title='rabble.ca. (2021). First Nations exercising treaty rights to fight tar sands and Site C development. [online] Available at: https:\/\/rabble.ca\/blogs\/bloggers\/activist-toolkit-blog\/2021\/03\/first-nations-exercising-treaty-rights-fight-tar-sands [Accessed 1 Apr. 2021].'><sup>20<\/sup><\/a><\/span>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-text-color has-background has-black-background-color has-black-color is-style-wide\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2>Canada&#8217;s oil sands<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The Canadian oil sands remain a controversial issue. Environmentalists and Indigenous Peoples have fought against big oil companies in Alberta for years.<span id='easy-footnote-21-890' class='easy-footnote-margin-adjust'><\/span><span class='easy-footnote'><a href='https:\/\/climatetransform.com\/canadian-oil-sands-in-2021-latest-news-and-updates\/#easy-footnote-bottom-21-890' title='the Guardian. (2014). Public opposition has cost tar sands industry $17bn, says report. [online] Available at: https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/environment\/2014\/nov\/03\/protests-tar-sands-industry-17bn-report [Accessed 18 Mar. 2021].'><sup>21<\/sup><\/a><\/span>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Extracting bitumen from beneath the boreal forest degrades the area and produces carbon-intense emissions.<span id='easy-footnote-22-890' class='easy-footnote-margin-adjust'><\/span><span class='easy-footnote'><a href='https:\/\/climatetransform.com\/canadian-oil-sands-in-2021-latest-news-and-updates\/#easy-footnote-bottom-22-890' title='January 10 and Greenfield, 2019 N. (n.d.). The Desire to Stop Canadian Tar Sands Transcends Borders. [online] NRDC. Available at: https:\/\/www.nrdc.org\/stories\/desire-stop-canadian-tar-sands-transcends-borders.'><sup>22<\/sup><\/a><\/span> It threatens Indigenous communities whose ancestors have lived in the boreal forest for thousands of years.<span id='easy-footnote-23-890' class='easy-footnote-margin-adjust'><\/span><span class='easy-footnote'><a href='https:\/\/climatetransform.com\/canadian-oil-sands-in-2021-latest-news-and-updates\/#easy-footnote-bottom-23-890' title='January 10 and Greenfield, 2019 N. (n.d.). The Desire to Stop Canadian Tar Sands Transcends Borders. [online] NRDC. Available at: https:\/\/www.nrdc.org\/stories\/desire-stop-canadian-tar-sands-transcends-borders.'><sup>23<\/sup><\/a><\/span> <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3>How much crude oil does Alberta produce?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>97 per cent of Canada\u2019s oil reserves are in Alberta\u2019s oil sands region.<span id='easy-footnote-24-890' class='easy-footnote-margin-adjust'><\/span><span class='easy-footnote'><a href='https:\/\/climatetransform.com\/canadian-oil-sands-in-2021-latest-news-and-updates\/#easy-footnote-bottom-24-890' title='Nrcan.gc.ca. (2017). Crude oil facts | Natural Resources Canada. [online] Available at: https:\/\/www.nrcan.gc.ca\/science-data\/data-analysis\/energy-data-analysis\/energy-facts\/crude-oil-facts\/20064.'><sup>24<\/sup><\/a><\/span> The industry produces about a billion barrels of crude per year. It has been a significant economic driver for Canada.<span id='easy-footnote-25-890' class='easy-footnote-margin-adjust'><\/span><span class='easy-footnote'><a href='https:\/\/climatetransform.com\/canadian-oil-sands-in-2021-latest-news-and-updates\/#easy-footnote-bottom-25-890' title='Yale Climate Connections. (2021). Canada\u2019s oil sands industry is taking a big hit\u00bb Yale Climate Connections. [online] Available at: https:\/\/yaleclimateconnections.org\/2021\/03\/canadas-oil-sands-industry-is-taking-a-big-hit\/#:~:text=The%20oil%20sands%20industry%20produces [Accessed 18 Mar. 2021].'><sup>25<\/sup><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3>The future of the oil sands industry<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Currently, the future of Canada\u2019s oil sands is uncertain. US President Biden\u2019s revocation of a permit for the Keystone XL pipeline has helped block further oil sands development.<span id='easy-footnote-26-890' class='easy-footnote-margin-adjust'><\/span><span class='easy-footnote'><a href='https:\/\/climatetransform.com\/canadian-oil-sands-in-2021-latest-news-and-updates\/#easy-footnote-bottom-26-890' title='Kusnetz, N. (2021). In Attacks on Environmental Advocates in Canada, a Disturbing Echo of Extremist Politics in the US. [online] Inside Climate News. Available at: https:\/\/insideclimatenews.org\/news\/24022021\/tar-sands-alberta-keystone-canada-climate-denial\/ [Accessed 18 Mar. 2021].'><sup>26<\/sup><\/a><\/span> 57 major financial institutions have pledged to stop funding or insuring oil sands ventures.<span id='easy-footnote-27-890' class='easy-footnote-margin-adjust'><\/span><span class='easy-footnote'><a href='https:\/\/climatetransform.com\/canadian-oil-sands-in-2021-latest-news-and-updates\/#easy-footnote-bottom-27-890' title='Anon, (n.d.). Finance is leaving oil and gas : Institute for Energy Economics &amp;amp; Financial Analysis. [online] Available at: https:\/\/ieefa.org\/finance-exiting-oil-and-gas\/.'><sup>27<\/sup><\/a><\/span> The world is moving towards a net-zero emissions future. Dirty oil sands production may become a thing of the past.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2>What are the Canadian oil sands?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The Canadian oil sands, also known as tar sands, are the largest deposit of crude oil on Earth.<span id='easy-footnote-28-890' class='easy-footnote-margin-adjust'><\/span><span class='easy-footnote'><a href='https:\/\/climatetransform.com\/canadian-oil-sands-in-2021-latest-news-and-updates\/#easy-footnote-bottom-28-890' title='CAPP. (2019). What Are the Oil Sands | Canada\u2019s Oil Sands Facts &amp;amp; Information. [online] Available at: https:\/\/www.capp.ca\/oil\/what-are-the-oil-sands\/.'><sup>28<\/sup><\/a><\/span> They are a mixture of sand, water, clay and bitumen \u2013&nbsp;a type of highly viscous oil.<span id='easy-footnote-29-890' class='easy-footnote-margin-adjust'><\/span><span class='easy-footnote'><a href='https:\/\/climatetransform.com\/canadian-oil-sands-in-2021-latest-news-and-updates\/#easy-footnote-bottom-29-890' title='CAPP. (2019). What Are the Oil Sands | Canada\u2019s Oil Sands Facts &amp;amp; Information. [online] Available at: https:\/\/www.capp.ca\/oil\/what-are-the-oil-sands\/.'><sup>29<\/sup><\/a><\/span> Extracting the bitumen involves draining wetlands, diverting rivers, removing trees and vegetation, and displacing wildlife.<span id='easy-footnote-30-890' class='easy-footnote-margin-adjust'><\/span><span class='easy-footnote'><a href='https:\/\/climatetransform.com\/canadian-oil-sands-in-2021-latest-news-and-updates\/#easy-footnote-bottom-30-890' title='Unu.edu. (2009). How Things Work: Canada\u2019s Oil Sands &amp;#8211; Our World. [online] Available at: https:\/\/ourworld.unu.edu\/en\/canadas-oil-sands.'><sup>30<\/sup><\/a><\/span>&nbsp;Tar sands generate 2.2 times as many emissions per barrel than the average crude extracted in North America.<span id='easy-footnote-31-890' class='easy-footnote-margin-adjust'><\/span><span class='easy-footnote'><a href='https:\/\/climatetransform.com\/canadian-oil-sands-in-2021-latest-news-and-updates\/#easy-footnote-bottom-31-890' title='Institute, P. (n.d.). The Real GHG trend: Oilsands among the most carbon intensive crudes in North America. [online] Pembina Institute. Available at: https:\/\/www.pembina.org\/blog\/real-ghg-trend-oilsands#:~:text=When%20looking%20at%20the%20carbon.'><sup>31<\/sup><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2>Where are the Canadian oil sands?&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The oil sands are located in three main regions of the province of Alberta. Athabasca oil sands are the largest area in the Canadian oil sands region. It is named after the Athabasca River that meanders through it. In places, the bitumen can be as thick as 150 metres. Athabasca oil sands are centred around the northern town of Fort McMurray. It is where the majority of industrial activities are concentrated. In total, it covers about 93,000 square kilometres (sq km).<span id='easy-footnote-32-890' class='easy-footnote-margin-adjust'><\/span><span class='easy-footnote'><a href='https:\/\/climatetransform.com\/canadian-oil-sands-in-2021-latest-news-and-updates\/#easy-footnote-bottom-32-890' title='Alberta.ca. (2019). The Location of Oil Sands &amp;#8211; Oil Sands &amp;#8211; Alberta\u2019s Energy Heritage. [online] Available at: http:\/\/history.alberta.ca\/energyheritage\/sands\/origins\/the-geology-of-the-oil-sands\/the-location-of-oil-sands.aspx.'><sup>32<\/sup><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The second fields are southeast of Fort McMurray and are known as the Cold Lake area. Its deposits of bitumen are between 300 and 600 metres below the surface. Cold Lake oil sands span about 18,000 sq km.<span id='easy-footnote-33-890' class='easy-footnote-margin-adjust'><\/span><span class='easy-footnote'><a href='https:\/\/climatetransform.com\/canadian-oil-sands-in-2021-latest-news-and-updates\/#easy-footnote-bottom-33-890' title='Alberta.ca. (2019). The Location of Oil Sands &amp;#8211; Oil Sands &amp;#8211; Alberta\u2019s Energy Heritage. [online] Available at: http:\/\/history.alberta.ca\/energyheritage\/sands\/origins\/the-geology-of-the-oil-sands\/the-location-of-oil-sands.aspx.'><sup>33<\/sup><\/a><\/span>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Peace River is the third deposit. It is located west of the Athabasca oil sands. It is the second-largest area of oil sands at 29,000 sq km. The deep deposits of Cold Lake and Peace River both necessitate in situ mining methods for extraction.<span id='easy-footnote-34-890' class='easy-footnote-margin-adjust'><\/span><span class='easy-footnote'><a href='https:\/\/climatetransform.com\/canadian-oil-sands-in-2021-latest-news-and-updates\/#easy-footnote-bottom-34-890' title='Alberta.ca. (2019). The Location of Oil Sands &amp;#8211; Oil Sands &amp;#8211; Alberta\u2019s Energy Heritage. [online] Available at: http:\/\/history.alberta.ca\/energyheritage\/sands\/origins\/the-geology-of-the-oil-sands\/the-location-of-oil-sands.aspx.'><sup>34<\/sup><\/a><\/span>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3>How big is the Alberta tar sands region?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Collectively, Canada&#8217;s oil sands cover about 140,000 sq km.<span id='easy-footnote-35-890' class='easy-footnote-margin-adjust'><\/span><span class='easy-footnote'><a href='https:\/\/climatetransform.com\/canadian-oil-sands-in-2021-latest-news-and-updates\/#easy-footnote-bottom-35-890' title='Alberta.ca. (2019). The Location of Oil Sands &amp;#8211; Oil Sands &amp;#8211; Alberta\u2019s Energy Heritage. [online] Available at: http:\/\/history.alberta.ca\/energyheritage\/sands\/origins\/the-geology-of-the-oil-sands\/the-location-of-oil-sands.aspx.'><sup>35<\/sup><\/a><\/span> That is an area larger than England.<span id='easy-footnote-36-890' class='easy-footnote-margin-adjust'><\/span><span class='easy-footnote'><a href='https:\/\/climatetransform.com\/canadian-oil-sands-in-2021-latest-news-and-updates\/#easy-footnote-bottom-36-890' title='Unu.edu. (2009). How Things Work: Canada\u2019s Oil Sands &amp;#8211; Our World. [online] Available at: https:\/\/ourworld.unu.edu\/en\/canadas-oil-sands.'><sup>36<\/sup><\/a><\/span> The remaining reserves amount to about 162 billion barrels of crude oil.<span id='easy-footnote-37-890' class='easy-footnote-margin-adjust'><\/span><span class='easy-footnote'><a href='https:\/\/climatetransform.com\/canadian-oil-sands-in-2021-latest-news-and-updates\/#easy-footnote-bottom-37-890' title='Nrcan.gc.ca. (2017). Crude oil facts | Natural Resources Canada. [online] Available at: https:\/\/www.nrcan.gc.ca\/science-data\/data-analysis\/energy-data-analysis\/energy-facts\/crude-oil-facts\/20064.'><sup>37<\/sup><\/a><\/span> It is, therefore, the third-largest proven oil reserve.<span id='easy-footnote-38-890' class='easy-footnote-margin-adjust'><\/span><span class='easy-footnote'><a href='https:\/\/climatetransform.com\/canadian-oil-sands-in-2021-latest-news-and-updates\/#easy-footnote-bottom-38-890' title='Leahy, S. (2019). Alberta, Canada\u2019s oil sands is the world\u2019s most destructive oil operation\u2014and it\u2019s growing. [online] Environment. Available at: https:\/\/www.nationalgeographic.com\/environment\/article\/alberta-canadas-tar-sands-is-growing-but-indigenous-people-fight-back.'><sup>38<\/sup><\/a><\/span> At present, the active mining footprint is about 1,030 km2.<span id='easy-footnote-39-890' class='easy-footnote-margin-adjust'><\/span><span class='easy-footnote'><a href='https:\/\/climatetransform.com\/canadian-oil-sands-in-2021-latest-news-and-updates\/#easy-footnote-bottom-39-890' title='CAPP. (n.d.). What Are the Oil Sands | Canada\u2019s Oil Sands Facts &amp;amp; Information. [online] Available at: https:\/\/www.capp.ca\/oil\/what-are-the-oil-sands\/#:~:text=Where%20Are%20Canada.'><sup>39<\/sup><\/a><\/span> This represents a surface area greater in size than the City of Calgary.<span id='easy-footnote-40-890' class='easy-footnote-margin-adjust'><\/span><span class='easy-footnote'><a href='https:\/\/climatetransform.com\/canadian-oil-sands-in-2021-latest-news-and-updates\/#easy-footnote-bottom-40-890' title='CAPP. (n.d.). What Are the Oil Sands | Canada\u2019s Oil Sands Facts &amp;amp; Information. [online] Available at: https:\/\/www.capp.ca\/oil\/what-are-the-oil-sands\/#:~:text=Where%20Are%20Canada.'><sup>40<\/sup><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The scale of the Canadian oil sands production is immense. It is the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nationalgeographic.com\/environment\/article\/alberta-canadas-tar-sands-is-growing-but-indigenous-people-fight-back\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">world\u2019s largest industrial project<\/a> and has razed great swathes of the boreal forest to mine for bitumen. Tailings ponds, a by-product of open pit mining methods, are so large that they can be seen from space. If the province of Alberta were a country, it would be the fifth-largest oil-producing nation in the world, thanks to its tar sands.<span id='easy-footnote-41-890' class='easy-footnote-margin-adjust'><\/span><span class='easy-footnote'><a href='https:\/\/climatetransform.com\/canadian-oil-sands-in-2021-latest-news-and-updates\/#easy-footnote-bottom-41-890' title='Leahy, S. (2019). Alberta, Canada\u2019s oil sands is the world\u2019s most destructive oil operation\u2014and it\u2019s growing. [online] Environment. Available at: https:\/\/www.nationalgeographic.com\/environment\/article\/alberta-canadas-tar-sands-is-growing-but-indigenous-people-fight-back.'><sup>41<\/sup><\/a><\/span>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2>How to get a job in the Canadian oil sands<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Alberta has the greatest concentration of onshore oilfield work in Canada.<span id='easy-footnote-42-890' class='easy-footnote-margin-adjust'><\/span><span class='easy-footnote'><a href='https:\/\/climatetransform.com\/canadian-oil-sands-in-2021-latest-news-and-updates\/#easy-footnote-bottom-42-890' title='C, O. and Davies, ace A. &amp;#8211; (2017). How to Find and Apply to Oilfield Jobs in Canada. [online] Canadian Resume Writing Service. Available at: https:\/\/canadian-resume-service.com\/job-search\/find-apply-oilfield-jobs-canada\/ [Accessed 17 Mar. 2021].'><sup>42<\/sup><\/a><\/span> However, the sector has suffered repeated setbacks since the international price of crude collapsed between 2014 and 2016.<span id='easy-footnote-43-890' class='easy-footnote-margin-adjust'><\/span><span class='easy-footnote'><a href='https:\/\/climatetransform.com\/canadian-oil-sands-in-2021-latest-news-and-updates\/#easy-footnote-bottom-43-890' title='pemedianetwork.com. (n.d.). Canada\u2019s oil sands under siege. [online] Available at: https:\/\/pemedianetwork.com\/petroleum-economist\/articles\/upstream\/2020\/canada-s-oil-sands-under-siege [Accessed 17 Mar. 2021].'><sup>43<\/sup><\/a><\/span> Employment for the Canadian oil and gas industry consequently peaked in 2014 but has been primarily in decline ever since.<span id='easy-footnote-44-890' class='easy-footnote-margin-adjust'><\/span><span class='easy-footnote'><a href='https:\/\/climatetransform.com\/canadian-oil-sands-in-2021-latest-news-and-updates\/#easy-footnote-bottom-44-890' title='Parkland Institute. (n.d.). The Future of Alberta\u2019s Oil Sands Industry: More Production, Less Capital, Fewer Jobs. [online] Available at: https:\/\/www.parklandinstitute.ca\/the_future_of_albertas_oil_sands_industry.'><sup>44<\/sup><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The repercussions of COVID-19 plummeted the value of oil again in 2020.<span id='easy-footnote-45-890' class='easy-footnote-margin-adjust'><\/span><span class='easy-footnote'><a href='https:\/\/climatetransform.com\/canadian-oil-sands-in-2021-latest-news-and-updates\/#easy-footnote-bottom-45-890' title='Sharma, R. (n.d.). What Happened to Oil Prices in 2017. [online] Investopedia. Available at: https:\/\/www.investopedia.com\/articles\/investing\/100615\/will-oil-prices-go-2017.asp.'><sup>45<\/sup><\/a><\/span> This caused US oil prices to dip below negative for the first time on record.<span id='easy-footnote-46-890' class='easy-footnote-margin-adjust'><\/span><span class='easy-footnote'><a href='https:\/\/climatetransform.com\/canadian-oil-sands-in-2021-latest-news-and-updates\/#easy-footnote-bottom-46-890' title='Sharma, R. (n.d.). What Happened to Oil Prices in 2017. [online] Investopedia. Available at: https:\/\/www.investopedia.com\/articles\/investing\/100615\/will-oil-prices-go-2017.asp.'><sup>46<\/sup><\/a><\/span> Environmentalists and Indigenous Peoples have also fiercely opposed any expansion of oil sands operations.<span id='easy-footnote-47-890' class='easy-footnote-margin-adjust'><\/span><span class='easy-footnote'><a href='https:\/\/climatetransform.com\/canadian-oil-sands-in-2021-latest-news-and-updates\/#easy-footnote-bottom-47-890' title='Leahy, S. (2019). Alberta, Canada\u2019s oil sands is the world\u2019s most destructive oil operation\u2014and it\u2019s growing. [online] Environment. Available at: https:\/\/www.nationalgeographic.com\/environment\/article\/alberta-canadas-tar-sands-is-growing-but-indigenous-people-fight-back.'><sup>47<\/sup><\/a><\/span> As a result, the Canadian oil and gas industry terminated about 53,119 jobs from 2014 through 2019.<span id='easy-footnote-48-890' class='easy-footnote-margin-adjust'><\/span><span class='easy-footnote'><a href='https:\/\/climatetransform.com\/canadian-oil-sands-in-2021-latest-news-and-updates\/#easy-footnote-bottom-48-890' title='Parkland Institute. (n.d.). The Future of Alberta\u2019s Oil Sands Industry: More Production, Less Capital, Fewer Jobs. [online] Available at: https:\/\/www.parklandinstitute.ca\/the_future_of_albertas_oil_sands_industry.'><sup>48<\/sup><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img width=\"1024\" height=\"684\" src=\"https:\/\/climatetransform.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/7409579372_f9673ff34e_b.jpeg\" alt=\"Oil sands basin\" class=\"wp-image-895\" srcset=\"https:\/\/climatetransform.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/7409579372_f9673ff34e_b.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/climatetransform.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/7409579372_f9673ff34e_b-300x200.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/climatetransform.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/7409579372_f9673ff34e_b-768x513.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/climatetransform.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/7409579372_f9673ff34e_b-750x501.jpeg 750w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2>Who owns the Alberta tar sands?&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>A small number of oil sands producers dominate Canada&#8217;s oil industry. For example, just 25 companies accounted for more than 40 per cent of overall revenues between 2010 and 2015. Ownership is even more concentrated if any majority shareholder is considered to \u2018own\u2019 a company.<span id='easy-footnote-49-890' class='easy-footnote-margin-adjust'><\/span><span class='easy-footnote'><a href='https:\/\/climatetransform.com\/canadian-oil-sands-in-2021-latest-news-and-updates\/#easy-footnote-bottom-49-890' title='Parkland Institute. (n.d.). Who Owns Canada\u2019s Fossil-Fuel Sector?: Mapping the Network of Ownership &amp;amp; Control. [online] Available at: https:\/\/www.parklandinstitute.ca\/who_owns_canadas_fossil_fuel_sector [Accessed 18 Mar. 2021].'><sup>49<\/sup><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In Alberta\u2019s tar sands, there are about 120 active projects.<span id='easy-footnote-50-890' class='easy-footnote-margin-adjust'><\/span><span class='easy-footnote'><a href='https:\/\/climatetransform.com\/canadian-oil-sands-in-2021-latest-news-and-updates\/#easy-footnote-bottom-50-890' title='Alberta Energy (MD), O.S.O. (2017). Alberta\u2019s Oil Sands Projects and Upgraders. Available at: https:\/\/open.alberta.ca\/dataset\/7be7a829-ec09-44bc-94e5-ca42e0af9b8d\/resource\/431548c9-617c-467d-bf70-18e50261d4eb\/download\/oilsands-projects.pdf [Accessed 18 Mar. 2021].'><sup>50<\/sup><\/a><\/span> They are owned by major oil companies from around the world, including Canada, the US and China.<span id='easy-footnote-51-890' class='easy-footnote-margin-adjust'><\/span><span class='easy-footnote'><a href='https:\/\/climatetransform.com\/canadian-oil-sands-in-2021-latest-news-and-updates\/#easy-footnote-bottom-51-890' title='Alberta Energy (MD), O.S.O. (2017). Alberta\u2019s Oil Sands Projects and Upgraders. Available at: https:\/\/open.alberta.ca\/dataset\/7be7a829-ec09-44bc-94e5-ca42e0af9b8d\/resource\/431548c9-617c-467d-bf70-18e50261d4eb\/download\/oilsands-projects.pdf [Accessed 18 Mar. 2021].'><sup>51<\/sup><\/a><\/span> Together, oil production is about 2.95 million barrels per day.<span id='easy-footnote-52-890' class='easy-footnote-margin-adjust'><\/span><span class='easy-footnote'><a href='https:\/\/climatetransform.com\/canadian-oil-sands-in-2021-latest-news-and-updates\/#easy-footnote-bottom-52-890' title='Nrcan.gc.ca. (2017). Crude oil facts | Natural Resources Canada. [online] Available at: https:\/\/www.nrcan.gc.ca\/science-data\/data-analysis\/energy-data-analysis\/energy-facts\/crude-oil-facts\/20064.'><sup>52<\/sup><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The present situation is transforming. Some companies have begun walking away from the high carbon projects in the Canadian oil sands.<span id='easy-footnote-53-890' class='easy-footnote-margin-adjust'><\/span><span class='easy-footnote'><a href='https:\/\/climatetransform.com\/canadian-oil-sands-in-2021-latest-news-and-updates\/#easy-footnote-bottom-53-890' title='Nrcan.gc.ca. (2017). Crude oil facts | Natural Resources Canada. [online] Available at: https:\/\/www.nrcan.gc.ca\/science-data\/data-analysis\/energy-data-analysis\/energy-facts\/crude-oil-facts\/20064.'><sup>53<\/sup><\/a><\/span> Exxon Mobil was once the largest owner of Canada\u2019s fossil fuel sector and a big player in oil sands production.<span id='easy-footnote-54-890' class='easy-footnote-margin-adjust'><\/span><span class='easy-footnote'><a href='https:\/\/climatetransform.com\/canadian-oil-sands-in-2021-latest-news-and-updates\/#easy-footnote-bottom-54-890' title='Parkland Institute. (n.d.). Who Owns Canada\u2019s Fossil-Fuel Sector?: Mapping the Network of Ownership &amp;amp; Control. [online] Available at: https:\/\/www.parklandinstitute.ca\/who_owns_canadas_fossil_fuel_sector.'><sup>54<\/sup><\/a><\/span> This year, however, it dropped 98 per cent of its reserves in Western Canada.<span id='easy-footnote-55-890' class='easy-footnote-margin-adjust'><\/span><span class='easy-footnote'><a href='https:\/\/climatetransform.com\/canadian-oil-sands-in-2021-latest-news-and-updates\/#easy-footnote-bottom-55-890' title='Crowley, K. (2021). Exxon erases oil sands as reserves plummet. [online] Houston Chronicle. Available at: https:\/\/www.houstonchronicle.com\/business\/energy\/article\/Exxon-Reserves-Plunge-32-After-Historic-15979415.php.'><sup>55<\/sup><\/a><\/span> Low oil prices coupled with the high price of extraction have made the region unprofitable for drilling \u2013 at least for now.<span id='easy-footnote-56-890' class='easy-footnote-margin-adjust'><\/span><span class='easy-footnote'><a href='https:\/\/climatetransform.com\/canadian-oil-sands-in-2021-latest-news-and-updates\/#easy-footnote-bottom-56-890' title='Crowley, K. (2021). Exxon erases oil sands as reserves plummet. [online] Houston Chronicle. Available at: https:\/\/www.houstonchronicle.com\/business\/energy\/article\/Exxon-Reserves-Plunge-32-After-Historic-15979415.php.'><sup>56<\/sup><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2>Alberta oil sands environmental repercussions<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>One serious consequence of Alberta\u2019s oil sands industry is the carbon emissions it causes. Burning fossil fuels, <a href=\"https:\/\/climatetransform.com\/10-causes-of-deforestation-the-roots-of-forest-degradation\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">cutting down forests<\/a> and altering land use releases vast quantities of carbon dioxide. Through these activities, humans have increased atmospheric CO2 concentration by 47 per cent since the Industrial Revolution. Carbon emissions are the most important long-term forcing of climate change.<span id='easy-footnote-57-890' class='easy-footnote-margin-adjust'><\/span><span class='easy-footnote'><a href='https:\/\/climatetransform.com\/canadian-oil-sands-in-2021-latest-news-and-updates\/#easy-footnote-bottom-57-890' title='NASA (2018). The Causes of Climate Change. [online] Climate Change: Vital Signs of the Planet. Available at: https:\/\/climate.nasa.gov\/causes\/.'><sup>57<\/sup><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Alberta\u2019s oil sands are subsequently primarily responsible for raising Canada\u2019s average oil emissions to the fourth-most intensive in the world.<span id='easy-footnote-58-890' class='easy-footnote-margin-adjust'><\/span><span class='easy-footnote'><a href='https:\/\/climatetransform.com\/canadian-oil-sands-in-2021-latest-news-and-updates\/#easy-footnote-bottom-58-890' title='October 16, J.M. and 2019 (2019). Scrubbing the oil sands\u2019 record. [online] Macleans.ca. Available at: https:\/\/www.macleans.ca\/economy\/scrubbing-the-oil-sands-record\/.'><sup>58<\/sup><\/a><\/span> Extracting and processing bitumen from oil sands generates 2.2 times as many greenhouse gas emissions per barrel as conventional oil.<span id='easy-footnote-59-890' class='easy-footnote-margin-adjust'><\/span><span class='easy-footnote'><a href='https:\/\/climatetransform.com\/canadian-oil-sands-in-2021-latest-news-and-updates\/#easy-footnote-bottom-59-890' title='Institute, P. (n.d.). The Real GHG trend: Oilsands among the most carbon intensive crudes in North America. [online] Pembina Institute. Available at: https:\/\/www.pembina.org\/blog\/real-ghg-trend-oilsands#:~:text=When%20looking%20at%20the%20carbon.'><sup>59<\/sup><\/a><\/span> Considering the entire process from extraction to end-use, oil sands are associated with 31 per cent higher emissions than the average North American crude.<span id='easy-footnote-60-890' class='easy-footnote-margin-adjust'><\/span><span class='easy-footnote'><a href='https:\/\/climatetransform.com\/canadian-oil-sands-in-2021-latest-news-and-updates\/#easy-footnote-bottom-60-890' title='Institute, P. (n.d.). The Real GHG trend: Oilsands among the most carbon intensive crudes in North America. [online] Pembina Institute. Available at: https:\/\/www.pembina.org\/blog\/real-ghg-trend-oilsands#:~:text=When%20looking%20at%20the%20carbon.'><sup>60<\/sup><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2>The economic impact of Canada&#8217;s oil sands<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Proponents of Alberta\u2019s oil sands industry often argue that it is vital for economic and employment opportunities.<span id='easy-footnote-61-890' class='easy-footnote-margin-adjust'><\/span><span class='easy-footnote'><a href='https:\/\/climatetransform.com\/canadian-oil-sands-in-2021-latest-news-and-updates\/#easy-footnote-bottom-61-890' title='Nrcan.gc.ca. (2014). Oil Sands: Economic contributions | Natural Resources Canada. [online] Available at: https:\/\/www.nrcan.gc.ca\/energy\/publications\/18756.'><sup>61<\/sup><\/a><\/span> However, Canada\u2019s oil industry never recovered from the oil price collapse in 2014.<span id='easy-footnote-62-890' class='easy-footnote-margin-adjust'><\/span><span class='easy-footnote'><a href='https:\/\/climatetransform.com\/canadian-oil-sands-in-2021-latest-news-and-updates\/#easy-footnote-bottom-62-890' title='financialpost. (n.d.). Oil price war tests Canadian energy producers\u2019 years-long drive to cut costs. [online] Available at: https:\/\/financialpost.com\/commodities\/energy\/oil-price-war-tests-canadian-energy-producers-years-long-drive-to-cut-costs.'><sup>62<\/sup><\/a><\/span> In that same year, the country\u2019s clean energy sector overtook oil sands as an employment provider.<span id='easy-footnote-63-890' class='easy-footnote-margin-adjust'><\/span><span class='easy-footnote'><a href='https:\/\/climatetransform.com\/canadian-oil-sands-in-2021-latest-news-and-updates\/#easy-footnote-bottom-63-890' title='Green energy sector jobs surpass total oil sands employment. (n.d.). The Globe and Mail. [online] Available at: https:\/\/www.theglobeandmail.com\/report-on-business\/industry-news\/energy-and-resources\/green-energy-sector-jobs-surpass-oil-sand-employment-total\/article21859169\/.'><sup>63<\/sup><\/a><\/span> About 53,119 oil sands jobs were cut between 2014 and 2019.<span id='easy-footnote-64-890' class='easy-footnote-margin-adjust'><\/span><span class='easy-footnote'><a href='https:\/\/climatetransform.com\/canadian-oil-sands-in-2021-latest-news-and-updates\/#easy-footnote-bottom-64-890' title='Parkland Institute. (n.d.). The Future of Alberta\u2019s Oil Sands Industry: More Production, Less Capital, Fewer Jobs. [online] Available at: https:\/\/www.parklandinstitute.ca\/the_future_of_albertas_oil_sands_industry.'><sup>64<\/sup><\/a><\/span> Another oil price slump in 2020 threw the industry into further instability.<span id='easy-footnote-65-890' class='easy-footnote-margin-adjust'><\/span><span class='easy-footnote'><a href='https:\/\/climatetransform.com\/canadian-oil-sands-in-2021-latest-news-and-updates\/#easy-footnote-bottom-65-890' title='Sharma, R. (n.d.). What Happened to Oil Prices in 2017. [online] Investopedia. Available at: https:\/\/www.investopedia.com\/articles\/investing\/100615\/will-oil-prices-go-2017.asp.'><sup>65<\/sup><\/a><\/span>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Alberta\u2019s natural environment, job opportunities and economic growth would benefit from a transition away from oil sands. A shift in energy production from coal, oil and natural gas to clean renewable sources would provide more jobs and ultimately prevent global warming.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>18th June 2021 Canada\u2019s oil sands producers aim for net-zero emissions by 2050 without reducing oil production and expecting huge government subsidies Fossil fuel companies representing 90 per cent of Canada\u2019s oil sands production have announced a united target to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. The goal involves the firms working collectively together and with [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":894,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[1],"tags":[203,190],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v19.11 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Canadian Oil Sands in 2021: Latest News and Updates - Climate Transform<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Canadian oil sands: latest news and updates on the world&#039;s largest industrial project and their environmental impact. 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