“Lives are defined by opportunities — the ones we seize and the ones we miss.”.That was the message from Enbridge CEO Greg Ebel, who argued in favour of large-scale Canadian LNG exports to offset emissions abroad under the Paris Accord, particularly to Asia..Speaking to a high-profile audience of business and government executives at the Toronto Board of Trade last week, Ebel argued Canadian natural gas has an outsized role in helping other countries reduce their emissions relative to its own 1.4% share of global CO2 emissions..“Below the surface, Canada has vast reserves of natural gas — and oil of course — that if used to displace coal in Asia and Eastern Europe could have a far greater impact on reducing global emissions than the impact Canada will have by achieving its own 2050 net-zero commitment.”.Ebel called on government to champion the sustainable production of natural gas and to reduce barriers to the responsible development of LNG. He urged governments to create the conditions for investment in LNG exports to help global nations switch from coal power generation to lower-carbon natural gas..Ironically, the ones benefitting the most from Canadian natural gas exports are our southern neighbours, who have managed to build a world-leading LNG industry almost from scratch..“Today, our company supplies natural gas to five LNG facilities. They’re all in the United States. Americans are the ones seeing many of the benefits of Canadian natural gas,” he said..And in the past 15 years, switching from coal to natural gas has accounted for nearly two-thirds of all US greenhouse gas emission reductions..“This isn’t about mimicking the Americans. It’s not about what they’ve done. It’s about what we could have done — and what we still can do if we get moving… LNG investment has been drawn to the US Gulf Coast because global companies are confident their projects can get off the ground in a reasonable timeframe,” he said..Germany built an LNG import facility in barely a year, Ebel noted, bemoaning a distinct lack of urgency within Canadian borders. And he was clear it starts with a lack of vision on the part of federal officials. .“With the ongoing war in Ukraine, they’re (Germany) desperate for new sources of energy. And still we hesitate to lead,” he said..“I sometimes hear our government officials talk about the need for Canada to bolster its influence on the global stage. Our foreign affairs minister has discussed it at length. She has specifically referenced the imperative to be a reliable partner in the Indo-Pacific region." ".Those relationships begin with diplomacy and shared values. But they could be immeasurably strengthened by the export of LNG — which can help countries grow their economies, reduce emissions and achieve energy security and affordability.”.Ebel also emphasized the need for a national indigenous loan-guarantee program to ensure indigenous communities have a seat at the table and a chance to benefit from Canada's natural resources.."Many indigenous groups have natural resources that they want to develop. They want to build a better future for themselves and for the generations to come. The energy industry has an opportunity, in fact, I would argue it has an obligation, to help them become full economic partners," he said.
