VANCOUVER | UNCEDED xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (MUSQUEAM), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (SQUAMISH) AND səlilwətaɬ (TSLEIL-WAUTUTH) TERRITORIES — The B.C. government released its fourth climate accountability report required by the Climate Change Accountability Act today.
Tom Green, senior climate policy adviser with the David Suzuki Foundation, said:
“This report considers emissions up to 2021, and the small increase from the previous year was expected, although the science shows we need to accelerate action and see those emissions going down.
“I’m hopeful that with climate policies and programs introduced in the past couple of years, we’ll start to see a continuing downward bend of the emissions curve. We’ve got the right priority policies that make CleanBC stand out as a leading climate plan in Canada and we’re looking forward to seeing the modelling translate to real climate benefits. Policies we expect to have a strong impact include a regulatory emissions cap by 2024 for the oil and gas sector to ensure it meets sectoral targets and enhanced carbon pricing for industry.
“It’s also encouraging to see policies that prioritize affordability paying off. These include increases to the climate action tax credit and rebates for electric vehicle, e-bikes, heat pumps and retrofits. Well-considered climate policy like this is designed to reduce emissions, and to use energy more efficiently while making living more affordable for those struggling and those wanting to jump onto low-carbon lifestyle options.
“B.C. will have a good chance to meet 2030 emissions targets if it reins in support for liquefied natural gas (LNG) development and focuses on seizing growing opportunities in the clean economy.
“This report is timely as COP28 is underway and pressure to follow bold climate plans couldn’t be more pressing. We also consider this report in the context of B.C.’s most devastating climate-fuelled wildfire years. We know we must transition off our fossil fuel dependency. B.C. must proceed with and improve its effective CleanBC plan.”
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For more information or media interviews, please contact:
Theresa Beer: tbeer@davidsuzuki.org, 778-874-3396