VANCOUVER | TRADITIONAL, UNCEDED TERRITORIES OF THE xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (MUSQUEAM), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (SQUAMISH) AND səlilwətaɬ (TSLEIL-WAUTUTH) FIRST NATIONS — Upon release of the B.C. government’s updated climate plan, the David Suzuki Foundation’s deputy executive director Ian Bruce released this statement:

“B.C.’s updated climate plan includes many bold policies we’ve long called for, such as a stronger zero-emission requirement for new cars and trucks, methane gas reduction and carbon pricing that matches federal requirements. If implemented in the timeframes needed, these policies promise to effectively turn down B.C.’s growing emissions curve.

“But the need for quick action to respond to the climate emergency can’t be overstated. This summer’s heat domes, wildfires and droughts brought the crisis to our front doors. We need aggressive timelines to implement policies and laws — in some cases, with greater stringency — for the plan to succeed. We want the majority of these changes enacted within the next six months.

“Whether we meet our 2030 targets will depend on the steps taken to transition away from carbon-polluting fracked gas (LNG) development and ratchet-down industrial emissions. Without clear actions and a timeline that shows how B.C. will reduce emissions from the oil and gas industry, move away from fracked gas production and eliminate fossil fuel subsidies, the plan won’t be enough to get B.C.’s climate commitment on course. The world’s leading energy agency says there is no room in the world’s climate response to continue any new oil and gas development.

“This climate plan gives B.C. the chance to stop increasing its emissions in the short term and get on the right path. We need to work together to quickly put these policies and regulations in place and transition to a clean economy driven by renewable energy while we support workers and Indigenous communities most affected.

“To solve the climate emergency, science must guide our decision-making and urgency must define our actions. We need someone like a Dr. Bonnie Henry to deliver B.C.’s climate emergency response.”

The David Suzuki Foundation is one of more than 240 diverse organizations and businesses that have signed an open letter calling on the B.C. government to confront the climate emergency and undertake ten urgent climate actions.

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For more information or a media interview, please contact:

Theresa Beer, tbeer@davidsuzuki.org, 778-874-3396