CPA releases study on propane’s low carbon emissions

A new study from the Canadian Propane Association (CPA) on the lifecycle analysis of the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions intensity of Canadian propane shows that the carbon intensity for propane is lower than what is currently being used by the Canadian government under the Clean Fuel Regulations.

IHS Markit, a division of S&P Global Commodity Insights, conducted the study on behalf of the CPA.

IHS Markit estimated the GHG intensity of three of the most likely value chains of Canadian propane. The firm worked with the CPA to identify a representative year and pathway for propane from initial production in western Canada’s Montney region, through various stages of processing and then transportation to Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta, and Sarnia, Ontario.

“This study shows how propane can be used today to reduce emissions,” says Shannon Watt, president and CEO of the CPA. “With further innovation on the horizon, such as renewable propane, low-carbon Canadian propane can serve the energy needs of future generations with even more sustainable solutions.”

Propane can complement renewable systems to reduce emissions while providing reliable energy, the CPA notes. With the advent of renewable propane, the propane industry expects to see a further reduction in emissions intensity, making propane an easy and available way to achieve a clean energy future, according to the CPA.

“Including propane now in policy and programming development in the transition to a lower-carbon economy will immediately reduce GHGs – a critical step in reaching net-zero emissions by 2050 – while maintaining and growing jobs in Canada,” Watt says.

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