Irving Oil claims it's on top of climate change, but could do better

Irving Oil said whenit comes to reducingemissions tobattleclimate change it considers itself a leader, but admits there are some areas where it could "probably improve."

On Friday morning the company outlinedits contributions tobattlingclimate change as part of committee presentations on climate change at the provinciallegislature.

"The challenge that we do have if you're already one of the best, how much more room is there to improve?" saidDale Cooper, Irving's general manager for refining and feedstocks."That will be our fundamental challenge."

Irving Oilnamedfuel efficient vehicles in its own fleet and the installation of some electric car charging stations at a few of its gas stations as areas where the company is contributing. It alsopointed to its shift to natural gas and some biofuels as areas where emissions were being cut back.

Irvingadmitteditsrefineries are responsible for a lot of emissions in New Brunswick, but stated to the committee that they are some of thecleanestand mostefficientin their class.

"We have a strong record on reducing our emissions," saidCooper."Our facility[in Saint John]is one of the best in the OECD(Organizationfor Economic Co-operation and Development)."

Changes the company havebeenimplementingare voluntary, asnoregulationsto reduce carbon output have beenput in place by theprovincialgovernment.

No stand on carbon credits

Irving would notstate if itfavouredacarbon credit system or a cap-and-trade model for emissions as foundin other provinces. Instead it considersanycarbon taxingonepossiblesolutionout of many.

"The transition away from fossil fuels will take time," said Walsh. "It will take decades in fact, so we continue to plan our business as if change will occur, but that it will take place in time."

According to Green Party Leader David Coonthere will not besufficientclimate change action in the province without a major reductionof carbon output by Irving Oil.

"The Irving Refinery has 20per centof total emissions in New Brunswick," said Coon. "We've got targets of reducing emissions by 35 to45per centover the next 14 years so Irving andthe Irving refinery is going to have to be a big part of that. We are going to have to find way of ensuring thatthey reduce their emissionsin that period of time."

Thecommittee hearings on climate changecontinue in Saint John next week.