Figure 14 – Climate Action at All Orders of Government

Provincial Action

In December 2018, the Province of British Columbia released its CleanBC climate plan. The plan reaffirmed the province’s previous target to reduce emissions 80 per cent below 2007 levels by the year 2050, and established a new interim target to reduce emissions 40 per cent by 2030. In 2017, BC’s provincial emissions were 0.5% below 2007 levels, which means that in order for BC to meet its emissions reduction target, we need a decrease of 40% from 2007 levels in just ten years.

CleanBC outlines a path to meeting the 2030 targets, outlining a range of actions to meet 75% of the target. These actions include sourcing clean and renewable electricity, incremental increases in building-energy performance in the BC Building Code, tailpipe emissions standards, and measures to reduce emissions from industry. The Province is currently identifying the actions to achieve the remaining 25% of emissions

reductions.

CleanBC builds on a history of provincial climate action: The provincial government has enacted laws and regulations to reduce emissions and transition to a lowcarbon economy. These include the Climate Change Accountability Act, Carbon Tax Act, Greenhouse Gas Industrial Reporting and Control Act, and Clean Energy Act.

As shown in Figure 14, senior levels of government have recognized the need for strong climate action (particularly on mitigation), and provide support to local governments.

Figure 14 – Climate Action at All Orders of Government