Re-Energizing Canada
Envisioning Canada's future beyond oil and gas
Oil and gas have shaped Canada’s past—but that doesn’t necessarily mean they will be its future.
As the world faces tough questions about energy security and affordability amid mounting pressure for climate action, Canada urgently needs to have a frank conversation about the future of its energy sector. Without concrete steps to reduce Canada’s dependence on oil and gas and invest in a prosperous future, damaging economic impacts will be felt across the country.
Emerging market forces in favour of ever-cheaper renewable energy, coupled with the global response to climate change, will decimate demand for oil and gas. At the same time, oil and gas prices are increasingly volatile. From a climate perspective, the science is clear that the world has no real choice but to end new oil and gas exploration now while rapidly addressing remaining production.
This research project will shine a light on practical strategies for Canada to mitigate the risk of stranded assets, maintain economic stability, and protect Canadian workers and communities while facilitating the transition to secure, affordable, and reliable clean energy.
Over the course of this multi-year project and publications series, IISD will aim to answer the following questions:
- What is the outlook for oil and gas in Canada?
- What does a fair, feasible, and prosperous energy future look like in Canada?
- Which policy pathways will get Canada there?
By facing these challenges head-on, Canada can build a more competitive and resilient economy for all while simultaneously increasing its climate ambition.
Clean Energy Insights
This research series outlines the benefits of a net-zero economy for Canadians across the country.
Getting Where We Need to Go: Net-zero transport in Canada
This brief explains how a clean passenger transport system based on walking, cycling, public transit and electric vehicles can reduce costs for households and reliably meet Canadians' transportation needs while making cities cleaner, quieter, and safer.
Powering the Clean Energy Transition: Net-Zero electricity in Canada
This brief explains how a shift to clean power generation can offer affordable, reliable electricity, benefiting households and businesses alike.
The Bottom Line: Unpacking the future of Canada's oil & gas
This research series digs into the complex oil and gas questions facing policymakers as they assess Canada's place in future energy markets.
Is a New Oil Pipeline in Canada’s National Interest?
Building a new oil pipeline would impose a significant economic and environmental cost on Alberta and Canada.
How Canadian LNG Impacts the Climate: Carbon emissions, fuel switching, and cleaner alternatives
Producing liquefied natural gas (LNG) in Canada will increase domestic emissions, undermine the global energy transition, and divert resources away from climate solutions. Our expert, Steven Haig, explains.
Economic Risks of Canadian LNG Expansion: Case studies from Australia and the United States
In this webinar, international energy experts from Canada, Australia, and the United States will use case studies from their countries to explore the economic risks of expanding LNG exports.
Canada's LNG Subsidies: Why Europe and Asia don't need Canadian LNG for energy security
Boosting Canadian liquefied natural gas (LNG) will not improve energy security in East and South Asia and Western Europe. In this webinar, experts explore the global and domestic risks of Canada's LNG subsidies.
Launching a Loss
New research reveals the combined public financial support for liquefied natural gas projects by the governments of British Columbia and Canada will amount to CAD 3.93 billion by 2030.
Upgrading Canada's Homes: A path to net-zero
Buildings account for 18% of Canada's greenhouse gas emissions. Policies to support energy efficient buildings can reduce household utility bills and help advance Canada's climate goals.
Why Canadian LNG Is Not a Path to Global Energy Security or a Stronger Domestic Economy
Unstable prices, costly infrastructure, and growing climate risks—these are just a few of the reasons why LNG is a risky bet for Canada and its trading partners.
Five Key Priorities to End Fossil Fuel Subsidies in Canada
As the G7 president in 2025, Canada has a pivotal opportunity to lead by fully phasing out fossil fuel supports and investing in a cleaner, more equitable future. Here are five recommendations for effective subsidy reform.
How Fossil Fuels Drive Inflation and Make Life Less Affordable for Canadians
New report takes closer look at how Canada’s dependence on fossil fuels impacts energy costs and prices of essentials such as transportation, home heating, and housing.
Why Liquefied Natural Gas Expansion in Canada Is Not Worth the Risk
An analysis of the economic and environmental risks of liquified natural gas expansion in Canada.
COP 28 Side Event | Canadian Leadership on Oil and Gas Phase-Out
This COP 28 side event showcases progress to date on phasing out oil and gas production in Canada.
Why the Cost of Carbon Capture and Storage Remains Persistently High
New analysis explores if carbon capture and storage (CCS) is an economically viable solution for emissions reduction in Canada’s oil and gas sector.
Setting the Pace: The economic case for managing the decline of oil and gas production in Canada
This report examines how global demand trends and increasingly volatile markets will impact Canada's oil and gas sector.
Why Carbon Capture and Storage Is Not a Net-Zero Solution for Canada’s Oil and Gas Sector
Canada's oil and gas sector regards carbon capture as the primary solution for lowering its emissions—but a careful analysis of the evidence reveals major risks in relying on and funding this technology.
Why Canada Is Unlikely to Sell the Last Barrel of Oil
As new technologies and climate policies eat into global demand for oil, this investigation finds that Canadian producers face existential threats that will require bold government policy to diversify the country's economy.
In the Media
Reality check: exporting Canadian LNG won’t help Europe but will hurt Canada’s economy
If oil and gas companies aren't cutting emissions at peak profits, when will they get in the game?
Canada needs to plan for a steep decline in oil demand, or risk getting left behind
Feds should not waste their $15-billion Canada Growth Fund on carbon capture for oil
Canadians shouldn’t foot the bill for Big Oil’s costly carbon capture
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