Pathways Alliance revives slimmed-down website after removing content in response to Bill C-59

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A group of Canada’s largest oilsands companies has revived its website after scrubbing its online presence in response to a federal bill targeting environmental advertising claims.

The Pathways Alliance, which has committed to bringing its six companies to net-zero emissions by 2050 through a sweeping carbon capture network, was seldom mentioned in a handful of earnings calls held Thursday, with one of its members not mentioning progress on the project and saying it’s waiting for clarification from the federal Competition Bureau.

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Several times on its updated website, Pathways says uncertainty created by Bill C-59’s language means it’s unable to publicly discuss the work it’s doing “on account of the vagueness of the law.”

Bill C-59, which was passed into law in June, contains a truth-in-advertising amendment that would require corporations to provide evidence to support their environmental claims. Companies primarily in oil and gas have raised concern over the bill’s wording, which says businesses cannot make environmental claims unless they’re based on “adequate and proper substantiation in accordance with internationally recognized methodology.”

The bill does not provide a definition for “internationally recognized methodology,” leaving companies without guidance over what claims they’re able to make, businesses and groups such as Pathways have argued.

The Pathways Alliance says its work continues but doesn’t directly answer whether it’s still committed to reaching net zero by 2050.

“Our work has not stopped because of the changes to the Competition Act, but the changes do affect our ability to publicly discuss the work,” it says in response to a question asking whether it’s still committed to reaching the target.

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The Pathways Alliance — made up of Canadian Natural Resources Ltd. (CNRL), Cenovus Energy Inc. ConocoPhillips Canada, Imperial Oil Ltd., MEG Energy Corp. and Suncor Energy Inc. — hasn’t made a final investment decision on the carbon capture project and is continuing to hash out an incentive plan with the federal government.

The consortium has previously spent millions of dollars on a countrywide public relations blitz aimed at demonstrating oilsands producers are committed to helping fight climate change.

The Competition Bureau launched public consultation last week after receiving “a large number of requests for guidance” on the interpretation of the bill’s provisions around greenwashing. Feedback is being collected until late September.

MEG Energy said in its second-quarter results last week it has temporarily suspended its 2030 and 2050 greenhouse gas emissions targets until clarity is provided by the Competition Bureau.

At Cenovus’ second-quarter earnings call, president and CEO Jonathan McKenzie did not provide an update on Thursday’s call on the progress of Pathways’ work and its proposed carbon capture project. (Cenovus also scrubbed its site in June after Bill C-59 passed.)

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Cenovus’ acting chief sustainability officer Jeff Lawson said Thursday the company is eagerly awaiting promised clarification from the federal Competition Bureau about what the new rules mean for the oil and gas sector.

“What’s frustrating is that I would say people in this industry, and specifically our company, want to speak to all the good things we’re doing. We do want to let people know what we’re doing,” Lawson said.

“But you get these curveballs thrown at you, and the best thing you can do is try to work through it and not get too frustrated.”

CNRL meanwhile said Pathways remains in talks with the provincial and federal governments in an effort to find a funding model that would allow the proposed $16.5-billion carbon transportation network to go ahead.

— With files from The Canadian Press

mscace@postmedia.com
X: @mattscace67

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