Oilsands specialist Suncor Energy Inc. committed Wednesday to cut 10 million tons (mt) or 34% of its 29 mt/year greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 as a step toward the Canadian government’s target of national net zero in 2050.

The move coincides with investor enthusiasm for operators around the world to move toward net-zero emissions. It also parallels efforts to increase environmental, social and governance (ESG) efforts, said President Mark Little.

The cleanup feat would help regain public and investor respect for Alberta as “one of the world’s most reliable and ESG-leading oil basins in the world,” he said as part of the annual investor meeting presentation.

A C$1.4 billion ($1.1 billion) project underway at the Calgary firm’s 54-year-old bitumen mine and...