Premier Ed Stelmach is defending Alberta's record on greenhouse gas emissions, saying the province has reduced emissions intensity, a measure that takes economic growth into account.

The 16 per cent drop in emissions intensity since 1990 shows progress on the environment file that has not hurt the economy, particularly the energy sector, Stelmach said Wednesday.
 
Emissions intensity is based on a formula that takes economic growth into consideration. The overall production of greenhouse gases in Alberta has steadily climbed and shows no signs of levelling off.

Total greenhouse gas emissions in Alberta have increased by 39.4 per cent from 168.17 megatons in 1990 to 234.51 megatons in 2004, according to Environment Canada.

Stelmach said advancements in technology will eventually lead to a reduction in total emissions.

"It's long term and my goal, I'm sure all Albertans' goal, is to provide a cleaner environment for the next generation, and this is one way of doing it, being practical and still supporting a good high-quality standard of living."

Cut emissions, not intensity: critic

That technology will be available sooner if heavy emitters are told they have to cut their emissions rather than increase them at a slower rate, said Jaisel Vadgama of the Pembina Institute, a non-profit environmental policy research organization.

Alberta needs to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions, not its emissions intensity, Vadgama said.

"It doesn't make sense for us to be talking about intensity-based targets when really what the climate change game is about now is about finding out how to achieve absolute reductions in emissions," he said.

Stelmach said he isn't sure if Alberta will ever see a reduction in emissions.

"I'm not a scientist, but it's a difficult answer because I have great confidence in the research that's being done, and technology and reinvestment. However, a lot of it is based on the economy. The economy is hot."

Stelmach warned of "dire consequences" if Alberta were ever forced to slow oilsands development to curb emissions that cause global warming.

"People had better look to their own provinces before they attack the province of Alberta because it has dire consequences right in their own backyards," he said.

"The federal government actually realizes more in terms of royalty and tax return than the province of Alberta does in the same period… Plus the fact that economic growth across Canada, if you take Alberta out, it's absolutely flat."