Revenue generated from the climate change policy would be invested into clean energy research and green infrastructure.
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The government said each oil sands operator would still be allowed to increase their annual carbon pollution from an average of 70 million tons per year to a maximum of 100 million tons under proposed legislation.
One of the world’s most outspoken climate change activists, Gore has been a strong opponent of the Keystone XL pipeline and Alberta’s oilsands.
By 2030, renewable energy sources will comprise 30 per cent of Alberta’s electricity production. Alberta will also phase in pricing as an incentive for people to reduce greenhouse gas pollution.
A price on carbon will go to $20/tonne in January 2017 and $30/tonne in January 2018.
“Your plan does that with its 2030 goal”, said Whittingham to Notley and Phillips, praising their intent to provide a sustainable transition to coal workers and their families for a low-carbon workplace.
Murray Edwards, the billionaire chairman of Canadian Natural Resources Ltd., also voiced support for Alberta’s climate plan’s addressing of oil sands emissions and was one of the speakers at Notley’s address.
“Alberta is going to stop being the problem and instead we will be the solution”, said Notley at Sunday’s announcement.
The unusual Sunday briefing comes the day before Notley meets with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and other provincial and territorial leaders in Ottawa to discuss a national climate change plan and a week prior to a major global climate conference in Paris.
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Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall is also expected to announce his own province’s climate change mitigation strategy tomorrow.
