Alberta isn't alone in facing climate challenge, says province's COP26 representative

Alberta's top representative to the global climate conference taking place in Scotland has a message to those in the province who feel singled out by the pressure to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

You are not alone.

"I feel that too," said Steve MacDonald, CEO of Emissions Reduction Alberta, a provincial agency that helps fund carbon reduction initiatives.

"But you come here and listen to these other jurisdictions and they're struggling with exactly the same problems. I think that's very reassuring."

One of only two Alberta delegates in Glasgow for the UN-sponsored COP26 meeting on climate change, MacDonald's days have been full.

He has met with top Canadian officials, including new federal environment minister Steven Guilbeault. He has given panel presentations and met with national delegates from the U.K., the European Union, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Sweden, among others.

There are booths to meet people from different nations and companies. Coffee chats. And yes, socials.

"Over a glass of wine you can have different conversations and build relationships with some of the most influential people in the world around the climate file," MacDonald said. "It can go as late as you want."

You can ask questions, follow up ideas, make personal contacts.

"It's a bit of a club. You have to be here."

The occasional eyebrow does lift at "I'm from Alberta," he said. Some do condemn the province, along with its emissions.

And Alberta does have a ways to go, MacDonald acknowledges. The United Conservative government is still working out its climate change strategy, which it has promised to release shortly.

But other countries want to hear about Alberta's experience with carbon taxes, he said. They want to hear about its carbon capture technologies.

In return, MacDonald is all ears when it comes to measures such as green bonds, a market-based way of raising money for renewable energy.