Climate change

OFFERING SOLUTIONS TO THE ENERGY TRILEMMA

Energy security, accessibility and affordability, and environmental sustainability — these are the realworld tensions the World Energy Council identifies as the 'energy trilemma'. For TC Energy, this three-pronged challenge is how we think about our strategic response to climate change.

The challenge of meeting rising global energy demand, as we concurrently work to lower greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and emissions intensity, are compounded by ongoing disruptions in global energy supplies, extreme weather events, and public and government responses to scarcities and soaring energy prices.

TC Energy is uniquely positioned with a comprehensive network of diverse energy assets across the continent. We are leveraging this network and our expertise, to find a reasonable balance between security, affordability and sustainability as we deliver the energy society relies on. Natural gas will continue to play a crucial role in the energy transition and is a key solution for reducing global GHG emissions. Through liquified natural gas (LNG), the abundant North American supply can be exported around the world, serving as a driver for global energy security, reduced global Emissions and economic growth.

In 2021, we set GHG emissions reductions targets with two main goals:

Reduce the GHG emissions intensity of our operations by 30 per cent by 2030; and,
Position to achieve net zero emissions from our operations by 2050.

We have many activities underway to reduce emissions and develop solutions for the future — for example, leak detection and repair programs, natural gas pipeline modernization and electrification programs, and deploying lower emission-intensive infrastructure technologies such as nuclear, pumped hydro storage, carbon capture and hydrogen.

For more information, see our GHG Emissions Reduction Plan, Report on Reliability of Methane Emissions Disclosure and Report on Climate-related Lobbying.

Spotlight on: Methane emissions reductions

We continue to develop and implement new practices and technologies to reduce fugitive and vented emissions during routine operations and maintenance.

During maintenance, the use of mobile incinerators, portable recovery and reinjections systems (such as the one pictured to the left) help us capture and recycle, or incinerate methane, rather than vent it to the atmosphere. We have adopted these technoloiesy as emission reduction tools within TC Energy’s blowdown management strategy and are deploying these mitigation tool on an increasing basis.

During operation, our Pipeline Integrity Managment Program and Leak Detection and Repair Program enable us to identify leaks on pipeline, compressor station, meter station and valve sites to help reduce unintentional releases of methane.

CASE STUDY:

MORE ACCURATE METHANE EMISSIONS MEASUREMENT

TC Energy is improving the quality and transparency of our methane emissions disclosures through a variety of approaches, including leading-edge technology to monitor, measure, and mitigate methane emissions.

Our methane continuous monitoring pilot in Turner Valley, Alberta will bring together compressor station emission data points to create a holistic picture of methane emissions. The project aims to improve methane detection and quantification methodologies by integrating continuous monitors with existing operating systems. The pilot will assess new methane detection technologies that will contextualize available operational information streams to support data-driven decision-making.

Learn more about our Climate Change and Sustainability commitments.

FAQs

How is TC Energy addressing/managing the long-term risks and opportunities related to climate change and greenhouse gas emission policies?

We have robust climate governance and risk management processes, overseen by TC Energy’s Board of Directors and executive leadership team. Please see the information on climate governance, risks and opportunities in our annual Report on Sustainability.

Does TC Energy’s strategic planning include consideration of climate change? Does the company utilize scenario analysis as part of its planning?

TC Energy understands that shareholders and other stakeholders want information on how the company is addressing climate change and associated risks. We have outlined specific strategic direction on how the company is addressing long-term risks and opportunities in relation to climate change and the energy transition in our annual Report on Sustainability and our GHG Emissions Reduction Plan.

We recognize that future energy systems will evolve. For many years we have evaluated the resilience of our asset portfolio over a range of potential energy supply and demand outcomes, also known as scenario analysis, as part of our strategic planning process. We believe our existing and future asset portfolio is resilient and well-positioned to embrace the energy transition, tolerate disruptions and adapt to external changes or uncertainties. We monitor the pace and magnitude of energy transition through various signposts and look for material shifts that pose threats or create opportunities; each year evaluating the scenarios that will best inform our strategy.

What is TC Energy’s approach to carbon management – specifically regarding methane emissions?

As an energy infrastructure company, we recognize our role in the larger energy system, including the ongoing management of our own GHG emissions. We are committed to managing our GHG emissions, reducing our GHG emissions intensity and continuing to integrate climate considerations into our overall business strategy.

TC Energy is a proud signatory to the Methane Guiding Principles. These principles focus on priority areas for action towards the reduction of methane emissions across the natural gas value chain.

Our GHG Emissions Reduction Plan provides more details on how we are modernizing our systems and assets to reduce fugitive methane emissions, leaks, venting and flaring associated with regular operations and maintenance, and improving overall operational efficiency. We are also looking to decarbonize our own energy consumption by seeking low-carbon energy sources to support our operations.

How are you collaborating with industry and policy-makers to address climate change and reduce methane emissions?

We collaborate with industry and government partners to enhance the safety, efficiency and reliability of our operations and assets, and are supporting, advancing and embracing the energy transition across our industry.

Our memberships and partnerships with industry organizations across North America contribute to federal and global responses to climate change. We engage with government and stakeholder representatives on climate change policy developments, and fund research for GHG emissions reduction opportunities.

For example, we are a member company in the Interstate Natural Gas Association of America Methane Emission Commitment; and we are a member of Our Nation’s Energy Future Coalition, Inc. (ONE Future), a group of natural gas companies working together to voluntarily reduce methane emissions across the natural gas supply chain.

Do you track and share publicly TC Energy’s greenhouse gas emissions?

Our historic GHG emissions data is available in our annual Report on Sustainability.

What is the company’s stance on carbon policy?

We recognize interest from governing bodies to reduce GHG emissions through the implementation of various carbon policy and regulatory mechanisms. We support policies that recognize the global nature of climate change and promote the reduction of both GHG intensity and absolute volume in a way that enhances human well-being now and in the future, considering the need for affordable, reliable energy and economic growth.

We support the need for sensible and cohesive public policy frameworks by engaging in dialogue with policy-makers and industry peers to help our industry fully participate in the North American discussion on climate change. Further, we contribute to a unified North American response through memberships in industry organization, engagement with government and stakeholder representatives on climate change policy developments, and funding research into GHG emissions reduction opportunities.

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