CAPE 09-2024_Physician-led call for a cap on oil and gas emissions

A group of Canadian physicians and healthcare professionals is calling for the immediate implementation of a strong emissions cap on the oil and gas sector, arguing that such a measure is critical for both climate mitigation and public health. They advocate for a 45% reduction in emissions below 2005 levels by 2030, asserting that the current proposed framework is insufficiently ambitious. The authors highlight that the oil and gas sector is Canada's largest source of greenhouse gas pollution and that reducing these emissions would significantly lower levels of dangerous air pollutants like NO2, PM2.5, and ozone, potentially preventing thousands of premature deaths and providing billions in economic benefits.

• The oil and gas sector is the primary source of greenhouse gas pollution in Canada, representing 31% of total national emissions as of 2022 data, and saw an 83% increase in emissions between 1990 and 2022.
• Canadian oilsands exports are among the most carbon-intensive oil products globally, with lifecycle emissions 31% higher than the North American crude oil average.
• Existing measurements of greenhouse gas emissions from the Alberta oilsands may be underestimated; research indicates emissions from 2005 to 2020 were over 65% higher than current measuring methods suggest.
• A 45% cap on oil and gas pollution could significantly reduce levels of NO2, PM2.5, and ozone by 2030, potentially preventing approximately 462 deaths in 2030 and 4,860 premature deaths over the following decade.
• The health benefits of a 45% emissions cap are estimated to provide an economic benefit of $45.1 billion, which the authors compare to the cost of building 37 new hospitals or renovating 320 emergency rooms in Canada.
• The authors argue that the current regulatory framework's target of 35 to 38% below 2019 levels (roughly 30 to 34% below 2005 levels) is insufficiently ambitious and should be increased to a 45% reduction below 2005 levels by 2030.
• To ensure effectiveness, the authors demand the elimination of compliance flexibility loopholes, such as offset credits and a decarbonization fund, and oppose further investments in carbon capture and storage technology.

APA

Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment (2024). CAPE 09-2024_Physician-led call for a cap on oil and gas emissions. https://cape.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/CAPE-09-2024_Physician-led-call-for-a-cap-on-oil-and-gas-emissions.pdf

Chicago

Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment. CAPE 09-2024_Physician-led call for a cap on oil and gas emissions. 2024. https://cape.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/CAPE-09-2024_Physician-led-call-for-a-cap-on-oil-and-gas-emissions.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite press release |author=Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment |title=CAPE 09-2024_Physician-led call for a cap on oil and gas emissions |date=9 September 2024 |url=https://cape.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/CAPE-09-2024_Physician-led-call-for-a-cap-on-oil-and-gas-emissions.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@misc{canadianassociationofphysiciansfortheenvironment2024cape, author = {{Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment}}, title = {{CAPE 09-2024\_Physician-led call for a cap on oil and gas emissions}}, publisher = {Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment}, year = {2024}, month = sep, url = {https://cape.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/CAPE-09-2024_Physician-led-call-for-a-cap-on-oil-and-gas-emissions.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }