Province of British Columbia rolls out Climate plan

Environment and Climate Change Minister George Heyman had the spotlight on Wednesday, delivering what has been a most anticipated Report on how the Province of British Columbia is going to approach environmental responsibilities over the next two decades and beyond, introducing the Clean BC policies during a Wednesday afternoon press conference.

There’s nothing more important than taking care of the place we call home. No matter where you live, no matter your age or background, you want a good life and a secure future in the community you’ve chosen to live and work in. For today, and for your kids and grandkids tomorrow. That’s why we are bringing forward our CleanBC plan. It’s a plan about climate and science, actions and targets. But ultimately, CleanBC is about putting our province on the path to a cleaner, better future – with a lowcarbon economy that creates opportunities for all while protecting our clean air, land and water -- Premier John Horgan upon the released of the Clean BC Plan on Wednesday

The wide ranging document offers up targets to be met, time lines for advancement of goals and a range of elements to be addressed as the Government of BC looks to deliver on Heyman's blue print for the future.

The CleanBC plan sets our province on a cleaner path over the next decade and beyond, reducing climate pollution and making cleaner solutions more convenient, available and affordable for British Columbians. Within a global commitment to address climate change, B.C. must do its part by changing how we power our province, manage our waste, and protect our air, land and water. The change we need to make is already underway, as we move towards a cleaner, healthier and more sustainable future for ourselves and our children. -- George Heyman, Minister of Environment and Climate Change

Among some of the areas for residents to explore, how the construction of better buildings will help conserve energy, initiatives to reduce pollution from industry, a dedication towards cleaner transportation, employment prospects for a clean energy environment  and how to reduce emissions from waste all make for points for review.

Part of the document also includes a call to build partnerships and create opportunities with both Indigenous communities and the business sector.

The government's program is looking to gain reductions of up to 75 percent by 2030, with further options for reductions towards the remaining 25 percent to be delivered over the next year and half.

"The full scope of actions envisioned in CleanBC – on the part of citizens, industry and business, and local and provincial government – will accomplish our 2030 GHG reduction goals. This plan describes specific reductions from the first set of actions totaling more than 75 per cent. Over the next 18 to 24 months we will identify additional reductions across more sectors of our economy with the strong potential to exceed the remaining 25 per cent of our 2030 goals." 

The initiatives include a focus on seven elements towards achieving those goals.

Cleaner public transportation
Cleaner and more efficient technology 
The introduction of new clean energy options 
Reducing and making better use of waste
Significantly increasing industrial electrification 
Reducing emissions from forestry, land use and agriculture 
Improving community design and services 

"As each new initiative is developed we will put it into action, so we are not waiting to get good ideas underway. We want to hear from the public and will be seeking input in the next year on initiatives that get us to our climate goals. Together, in collaboration with Indigenous peoples, we will work to build more resilient communities, where everyone benefits from a cleaner future." -- From the Clean BC plan introduced Wednesday

Premier Horgan and his Minister have been given a thumbs up from their fellow Cascadia partners in the Governors of Washington State and Oregon, who both offer up a salute to the BC government's approach to environmental concerns.

A highlights report, provides some further background on the key elements of the NDP government plan, including the timeline of implementation for many of the government's ambitions.

Timeline of measurement for success of climate plan
(click to enlarge)

North Coast MLA Jennifer Rice made note of Wednesday's roll out through her social media feeds.

While opposition members will be be able to offer up their own comments through the next few months, they won't have a chance to weigh in on the government document in the Legislature until MLA's return to work in February,

Not everyone has saluted the report as complete, with more than a few environmental groups making note that with a commitment towards two LNG projects so far, meeting some of the carbon reduction and green house gas goals may be hard to meet and next to impossible should the province approve any further LNG proposals.

'LNG sized gap' in B.C.'s climate plan raises questions about government's priorities

The full Clean BC report, all sixty eight pages of it can be reviewed here.

For more items of note from the Legislature see our archive page here, while a larger overview of news out of Victoria can be found through our political portal D'Arcy McGee.