Enbridge’s Line 5 crucial to a sustainable future



Natural gas storage pipeline infrastructure Enbridge's tactics to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050 include modernizing our current pipeline system, as well as continued investment in renewable energy projects and exploration of lower-carbon fuels.

Contributes to achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions

April 21, 2021

When President Biden convenes world leaders for an Earth Day summit on Thursday, April 22, he is expected to unveil an aggressive plan to assert U.S. leadership in the fight to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and address climate change.

While many governments around the world are pushing for increased regulations to limit emissions, companies like Enbridge—and many others—continue to develop and implement plans to advance sustainability and help meet corporate, national and global reduction targets. 

Enbridge recently announced plans to reach net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from our operations by 2050, with an interim target to reduce the intensity of GHG emissions 35% by 2030.

“We have an ambitious but achievable plan that includes a number of options to achieve net-zero GHG emissions,” said Pete Sheffield, Enbridge’s Chief Sustainability Officer. “We will continue to invest in solar and wind power generation, integrate hydrogen and renewable natural gas into our networks where feasible and leverage technology as we pursue modernization to our existing system. Collectively, we will be driving further efficiencies and safe operations across our system, including Line 5 and the Great Lakes Tunnel.”

Taking steps to protect people and the planet

The transportation of fuels represents 2% of all GHG emissions from the energy value chain. While 2% may sound slight, we are taking steps to reduce these emissions even further.

For Michigan, the Great Lakes Tunnel will house a replacement section of Line 5 at the Straits of Mackinac, where the Line 5 pipeline connects into lower Michigan and transports crude oil and other products to regional refinery hubs. The main goal: make a safe pipeline safer and protect the Great Lakes; however, it also is pivotal to helping shape a sustainable future.
“Enbridge’s Line 5 is a major fuel delivery artery supplying the Great Lakes region’s energy needs,” said Sheffield. “Moving energy via Line 5 makes sense from an environmental, safety and affordability perspective when compared to transporting it by trucks, barges and rail cars.”

By placing Line 5 inside a tunnel deep below the lakebed, the Great Lakes Tunnel will eliminate the risk of a spill from Line 5 in the Straits while protecting the pipeline from external threats.

Technology makes an affordable, cleaner energy future possible

As society increases its demand for energy in over the next two decades, Enbridge is investing in all forms of energy to meet the need and advance an energy transformation that protects people and the planet.

Within the next 20 years, projections estimate a 21% increase in global growth (1.6 billion people).

Enbridge’s investments in renewables, developing cleaner oil and natural gas, and transporting and delivering these energy resources, are vital to supporting energy demand.

“This Earth Day provides an opportunity to recognize the great strides that have been made in the energy sphere since the first Earth Day 51 years ago, and to acknowledge the significant work ahead in addressing the challenges of climate change,” said Sheffield.

“Enbridge is committed to a reliable, affordable and ever cleaner energy future, and the technologies we are advancing today will help to enable a more diverse energy mix of renewables and more efficient conventional fuels to help North America continue on the bridge to a sustainable energy future.”