Suncor Energy, Canada’s largest integrated energy company, recovers bitumen from oil sands near Fort McMurray, Alberta, and upgrades it to refinery-ready feedstock and diesel fuel. Suncor’s strategy is to be Canada’s leading energy company by growing its business in low greenhouse gas (GHG) fuels, electricity and hydrogen while sustaining and optimizing its existing hydrocarbon business and transforming its GHG footprint; all enabled by its expertise, long-life resources, integrated business model, strong connection to customers, and world-class environment, social and governance (ESG) performance.

The Mining Association of Canada’s Towards Sustainable Mining (TSM) protocols reinforce continuous improvement opportunities for Suncor and support the company’s emphasis on sustainability throughout the organization.

For more information, including detailed facility specific performance metrics, please visit suncor.com.

Suncor’s 2022 TSM External Verification Results

External 2022 verification results for Suncor’s oil sands Base Plant and Fort Hills mine reflect performance to the date they are published, where feasible, and are aligned with TSM’s annual reporting timeline.

Tailings Management

Suncor’s tailings management system underwent a TSM external audit in 2022. This audit confirmed a strong system is in place but resulted in Base Plant’s Indicator 2 level shifting to an A due to the rescheduling of an emergency response exercise to early 2023, which is outside the audit timeline requirements. Level AAA was maintained for all other indicators at Base Plant and all indicators at Fort Hills.

The facilities continue to make progress in tailings management and have worked hard in this area to ensure alignment with the protocol. Work progresses to ensure the company can continue to learn and adapt its approach to tailings management. Evolving guidelines, regulations and community expectations also provide valuable input for improvement opportunities in this area.

Base Plant: Level AAA results for indicators 1, 3, 4, 5 and Level A for indicator 2 was achieved.

Fort Hills: Level AAA results for all indicators were achieved.

Indigenous and Community Relationships

External outreach has always been a key part of maintaining Suncor’s social license to operate, and the company regularly engages with communities of interest (including several Indigenous communities). Its stakeholder relations framework outlines the company’s commitment to collaboration, transparency and respect for all views. This guides development of long-term meaningful relationships with those affected by its business, including employees, Indigenous communities and other local community members, shareholders, customers, organizations and governments.

Base Plant: The facility has consistently performed well in this area and achieved Level AAA for all indicators.

Fort Hills: The facility performed well in this area and achieved Level AAA for all indicators.

Biodiversity Conservation Management

To minimize impacts in the boreal region, Suncor leverages scientific research and best management practices while working with neighbouring companies and communities to reduce cumulative effects of development. The company also collaborates with industry peers and multi-stakeholder organizations on initiatives to conserve and reclaim habitat for birds, mammals, fish and other species.

Base Plant: The facility maintained Level AAA for all three indicators.

Fort Hills: The facility achieved Level AAA for all three indicators.

Crisis Management and Communications Planning

Suncor has a strong commitment to crisis and emergency management, ensuring the organization’s risks are identified through an internal risk management system. The company has established response plans and an incident command system is implemented across the organization.

Base Plant: The facility completed all requirements for this protocol and maintained a “yes” score for all indicators.

Fort Hills: The facility completed all requirements for this protocol and achieved a “yes” score for all indicators.

Safety and Health

Suncor demonstrates a strong commitment and accountability to safety and health with policies established and commitments being driven throughout the organization. Additionally, the company maintains strong training, behaviour and culture through extensive programs engaging all personnel in health and safety activities.

The company has experienced poor performance with significant incidents occurring in the last number of years. The company is committed to taking the actions necessary to improve safety across its sites. Among the focus areas are critical controls assurance, leadership coaching, and creating more effective corrective actions with high likelihood of avoiding incidents and reducing consequences.

Base Plant: The facility maintained a Level AAA for indicators 1 and 3, and a Level A for indicators 2 and 4, with a Level B for indicator 5.

Fort Hills: The facility maintained a Level AAA for indicators 1 and 3, and a Level A for indicators 2 and 4, with a Level B for indicator 5.

Energy Use and GHG Emissions Management

Suncor’s objective is to reach net-zero emissions by 2050 and contribute to societal emission reduction goals, including an interim target of 10 megatonnes (Mt) per year by 2030 across its value chain.

Suncor’s net-zero objective applies to scope 1 and 2 emissions and given its integrated business, they see many opportunities within and outside their value chain to work with customers, suppliers, governments and other partners to help reduce emissions elsewhere (i.e., scope 3 and other emissions).

The company’s 10 Mt target is designed to incentivize real emission reductions in the energy system, regardless of where they occur, and to focus on near- and mid-term opportunities with the biggest impact and highest payback.

Base Plant: The facility maintained a Level AAA for indicators 1, and 2 and a B for indicator 3.

Fort Hills: The facility maintained a Level AAA for indicators 1, and 2 and a B for indicator 3.

Preventing Child and Forced Labour:

Suncor has processes in place that are relative to jurisdictional risk that ensures forced or child labour is not occurring at its facilities.  

Base Plant: The facility completed all requirements for this protocol and maintained a “yes” score for all indicators.

Fort Hills: The facility completed all requirements for this protocol and maintained a “yes” score for all indicators.

For more information, please visit: www.suncor.com.