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Media release: “CleanBC” can put British Columbia back on the climate leadership map

British Columbia's legislature

New policies outlined by the Government of BC will empower community climate action

For immediate release
December 5, 2018

VANCOUVER—Today, the Government of BC has announced a suite of new policies to put the province on a path to reach its legislated greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction targets. With the GHG emissions on the rise, the new measuress, such as promoting renewable natural gas and building retrofits, will help British Columbia regain its climate leadership mantle. As part of the CleanBC strategy, the actions promise to unlock new options for clean transportation, buildings and energy for British Columbians.

“Local governments have influence over half of British Columbia’s greenhouse gases,” says Renewable Cities executive director Alex Boston, who has served over 20 local governments in developing energy and emissions plans, “municipalities are necessary partners in delivering a CleanBC plan that benefits all British Columbians.”

With this announcement, B.C. is signaling its intention to re-join an elite group of governments committed to climate action, which are forging pathways for the rest of the continent.

“There is immense potential to connect climate action with some of B.C.’s top priorities, specifically, affordability, economic development and cutting congestion in our big urban regions,” says Boston, “as the policy details are worked out and new work commences on communities, urban land use and waste in 2019, Renewable Cities is committed to working with the Government of BC and local governments to advance an integrated prosperity agenda.”

For more information, see Renewable Cities’ submission to the Government of BC’s Clean Growth Strategy.

QUICK FACTS

  • The latest data show that in 2015, B.C. emitted more than 63 million tonnes of GHGs, about 5 per cent less than in 2007.
  • To meet its 2030 target, B.C. must cut GHGs 40 per cent below 2007 levels, by about 26.5 million tonnes.
  • Local governments have influence over half of B.C.’s GHGs, concentrated in transportation, buildings and waste.
  • The next stage of B.C.’s climate change strategy will lay out important details around how the province will address GHG emissions from transportation and land-use, communities and waste.

CONTACT

Alex Boston
Executive Director, Renewable Cities and Fellow, SFU Morris J. Wosk Centre for Dialogue Telephone: 604-928-2347 |Email: a_boston@sfu.ca

Keane Gruending
Communications Manager, Renewable Cities
Telephone: 604-367-6036 | Email: keane_gruending@sfu.ca