listen. understand. act.

Those three words sum up Suncor's approach to the climate change challenge. Our stakeholders have told us rising greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are a major concern.

More than a decade ago, Suncor launched a comprehensive action plan that has reduced the carbon intensity of our business. We have already cut GHG emission intensity at our oil sands plant by approximately 44% compared to 1990 levels.

But significant challenges remain. As we expand production capacity, absolute emissions will increase. Suncor is investing in technologies that could lead to absolute emission reductions, expanded development of wind power and biofuels, and new ways to conserve energy across our operations.

Suncor is working to significantly reduce our carbon footprint:

• Measuring and reporting on progress. Suncor has been reporting the carbon intensity of our business for more than 10 years.
• Conserving energy across our operations. Heat capture and cogeneration of steam and electricity has cut our energy intensity. We're also saving energy through the use of heat exchangers and solar-powered pumps. Investment in a coke gasifier is another area with potential to reduce our reliance on natural gas and feed our co-gen energy plants.
• Funding research into carbon capture technology. In 2007, Suncor participated in research on carbon capture and storage, investing more than $1.5 million.
• Developing other technologies. Suncor is investigating other technologies – including geothermal energy – to further reduce our GHG emissions and our reliance on natural gas.
• Investing in renewable energy. Suncor is investing the revenues generated from our oil sands business into renewable energy, particularly wind energy and biofuels. We are a partner in four wind power projects and operate Canada's largest ethanol production facility – a total investment of $250 million. Suncor plans to direct a further $500 million to renewable energy projects over the next five years.