A new analysis from the Canadian Climate Institute warns that increased oilsands production enabled by a planned West Coast pipeline could add 20 megatonnes of CO2 per year, far exceeding the 6 megatonnes per year the Pathways carbon capture project aims to store starting in 2035. The Pathways project, backed by major oilsands producers and governments, has scaled back its earlier 22 megatonne target. Think tanks like the Pembina Institute project oilsands emissions could reach 89 megatonnes annually by 2035 even with Pathways, as production growth outpaces capture capacity. The article highlights concerns about the cost and uncertainty of carbon capture technology, with Pathways estimated at $20 to $30 billion. Critics argue that stronger industrial carbon pricing would be more effective, but governments have instead offered significant public financing for both the pipeline and the capture network. Rural landowners and Indigenous communities have also raised safety and consent issues regarding CO2 pipelines. The piece underscores the tension between expanding fossil fuel infrastructure and meeting climate targets.
