B.C. is first North American jurisdiction to commit to 100 per cent electric vehicles
VANCOUVER — The first phase of the B.C. government’s CleanBC climate and clean growth plan released today is an exciting step toward accelerating renewable energy and modernizing transportation choices to help meet climate targets, according to the David Suzuki Foundation.
“This sets the first North American commitment by a provincial or federal government to have 100 per cent of cars powered by renewable electricity by 2040,” said Foundation science and policy director Ian Bruce. “With strong transportation and building policies and a shift away from petroleum use, B.C. is saying it’s once again a Canadian climate leader.”
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change recently warned that global warming must be limited to 1.5 C. “At a time when we’re seeing dramatic increases in extreme weather events such as floods and wildfires throughout the country, B.C. is showing the climate leadership that Canada needs,” Bruce said.
The two-phase strategy moves the province 75 per cent of the way to meeting 2030 emissions reduction targets. Achieving the remaining reductions will require additional measures such as stringent methane regulations to reduce emissions from oil and gas, including fracked gas for LNG, and other policies, expected next year.
“Reducing methane pollution from B.C.’s natural gas industry is one of the cheapest, easiest and most effective actions governments can take to tackle climate change. It will be key to a fair and complete plan,” said Foundation science and policy manager Patricia Lightburn.
The Climate Solutions and Clean Growth Advisory Council will continue to advise the B.C. government and hold it accountable for Phase 2 and reaching longer term goals.
“We encourage government to keep the momentum going and work with British Columbians and the council to put Phase 2 initiatives in place as quickly as possible to close the emissions gap,” Lightburn said.
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For more information or to arrange an interview, please contact:
Theresa Beer, tbeer@davidsuzuki.org, 778-874-3396
Quick facts:
- B.C. is the first North American province or state to announce a plan to phase out petroleum-fuelled cars and move to 100 per cent clean, electric vehicles. Sixteen other countries have done so.
- Three years ago, the David Suzuki Foundation hosted Wade Crowfoot, deputy cabinet secretary and senior adviser to California Gov. Jerry Brown, in Vancouver to discuss California’s climate leadership, and how the state government introduced its electric and clean car law (zero emission vehicle standard). This law was developed to support the state’s goal to cut petroleum use in half by 2030. Here, Wade Crowfoot discusses California zero-emission vehicles (presentation starts at the 35-minute mark).
- More than 8,900 British Columbians and supporters of the David Suzuki Foundation have written the B.C. government calling for stringent regulations to shrink the oil and gas industry’s methane pollution.
Background materials:
- Science Matters column on methane emissions by David Suzuki and Ian Bruce.
- DSF news release: Science suggests B.C.’s methane pollution from oil and gas more than double government claims.
- Op-ed by Ian Bruce: Canada must use latest science to shrink the oil and gas industry’s methane pollution.
- DSF News release: B.C. can act on top climate solution by implementing strong provincial methane regulations.
- DSF best practices report for methane pollution submitted to the B.C. government.