Wind turbines near Pincher Creek, Calgary
Letter from Canada: Alberta concedes to energy transition
The region’s hydrocarbons sector grudgingly accepts the inevitable rise of low-carbon energy, and the government is taking steps not to be left out
The Alberta government and the province’s all-important oil and gas industry have been slow to accept the way the world is changing. Despite the US shale gas revolution bringing an end to sky-high gas prices at the end of the 2000s and the US light-tight oil revolution doing much the same for oil prices by the middle of last decade, the province has widely snubbed decarbonisation efforts. The provincial government and the oil sands industry have refused to accept the threat posed by the global climate movement, with some irrationally attacking the science supporting it and anyone who accepts it—including the Canadian government under the leadership of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. 40p
Also in this section
6 February 2026
The long close relationship between key supplier Qatar and pivotal buyer Japan becomes even deeper following new landmark deal
6 February 2026
Partnerships across the LNG value chain have evolved over time, growing in both complexity and importance, according to panellists at LNG2026
6 February 2026
Nigeria's mega-refinery is still trying to solve many challenges, all while its owner talks up expansion
5 February 2026
While broadly supportive of EU efforts to tackle methane emissions, representatives of the gas industry warn it could deter supply contracting if timelines and compliance requirements are not made more pragmatic
