Alberta’s top representative at the Global Climate Conference in Scotland sent a message to those in the province who feel isolated due to the pressure of reducing climate change emission of greenhouse gases.
You are not alone.
“I feel that way too,” said Steve MacDonald, chief executive of the Alberta Emissions Reduction Agency, a provincial agency that helps fund carbon emission reduction programs.
“But you come here to listen to the opinions of other jurisdictions, they are struggling with the exact same problem. I think this is very reassuring.”
With the largest oil industry, Alberta sends fewer people to COP than any other energy province
As one of the only two Alberta representatives to attend the UN-sponsored COP26 climate change conference in Glasgow, MacDonald’s life is very fulfilling.
He met with senior Canadian officials, including the new Federal Environment Minister Steven Gilbert. He gave a group speech and met with representatives from the United Kingdom, the European Union, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Sweden and other countries.
There are booths to meet people from different countries and companies. Coffee chat. Yes, social.
MacDonald said: “With a glass of wine, you can have different conversations and build relationships with some of the most influential people in the world’s climate archives.” “It can go as you wish.”
You can ask questions, follow up ideas, and establish personal connections.
“It’s kind of like a club. You must be here.”
Opinion polls show that most people support Trudeau’s climate policy recommendations at COP26
He said, “I’m from Alberta,” occasionally raised his eyebrows. Some people do condemn the province and its emissions.
MacDonald admits that Alberta does have a long way to go. The United Conservative Government is still formulating its climate change strategy and promised to release it soon.
But other countries want to learn about Alberta’s experience with carbon taxes, he said. They want to learn about its carbon capture technology.
In return, MacDonald is fully focused when it comes to measures such as green bonds, which is a market-based renewable energy financing method.
The two-person delegation in Alberta is the smallest of all energy-producing provinces in Canada—even smaller than the delegation sent by groups such as the Inuit Polar Conference.
MacDonald didn’t think he was defeated. He said, you learned to choose your position.
“As a (province), you must be very purposeful.”
Politicians in Alberta often complain that the threshold for the province’s emission reduction targets is constantly increasing. Joining the club, McDonald said-everyone feels this way.
“The whole world is working hard to meet our needs to do more and faster.”
He said that the bold plan five years ago is now just a bet.
“The agenda has changed. There is a different level of expectations.”
But Albertans should not feel that they have to solve these problems themselves, or that they are the only jurisdiction where climate change has become a hot topic.
“When you go out and talk to people on a national and international scale, you will realize that there are many jurisdictions struggling with the same issues.”
MacDonald said it is difficult for everyone.
“Alberta is not the only jurisdiction that relies heavily on hydrocarbons,” he said. “Alberta’s challenge in achieving net zero emissions is a challenge we face with the world.”
© 2021 Canadian Press
