Premier Christy Clark today introduced the team providing government with expert advice and recommendations as British Columbia begins developing a new climate action plan that will build on its climate successes.

“We’re taking the next step in climate leadership by engaging with British Columbians on new climate actions to support a growing economy,” said Premier Christy Clark. “The Climate Leadership Team brings together leaders from the business, academic and environmental communities, as well as First Nations and local governments, to consider the best actions to keep us on track toward meeting our greenhouse gas reduction targets. Thank you to the team members for accepting the challenge of helping B.C. develop our new Climate Leadership Plan.”

The Climate Leadership Team’s mandate, to be fulfilled by Nov. 30, 2015, is to provide advice and recommendations on:

• how to maintain B.C.’s climate leadership;
• updates to the current Climate Action Plan as well as new programs and policies required to meet B.C.’s greenhouse gas reduction targets while maintaining strong economic growth and successfully implementing the BC Jobs Plan, including the liquefied natural gas strategy;
• actions to achieve GHG reductions required across the industrial sector, transportation sector and built environment;
• how to further the Province’s government-to-government relationships with First Nations while constructively finding climate solutions; and
• how to further the Province’s collaboration with local governments within the context of mutually-beneficial climate actions.

“Today’s Climate Leadership Team announcement sends another signal to the world that B.C. is open for business in the booming global new climate economy,” said Merran Smith, executive director, Clean Energy Canada and fellow, Simon Fraser University’s Centre for Dialogue. “I look forward to supporting the conversation on how the province can continue to prosper while taking its climate leadership to the next level.”

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“As chair of the Climate Leadership Team, I look forward to working with the team members and consulting with British Columbians to ensure a wide range of views are considered, while developing a  new plan we can be proud of,” said Mike Bernier, Parliamentary Secretary for Energy Literacy and the Environment for the Minister of Environment. “I’m confident the work of the team will stimulate a real debate about B.C.’s future climate change direction, and the best way for us to define a low-carbon future.”

To ensure timely development, the following timeline has been established by government:

• July 2015 - A draft framework for the Climate Leadership Plan will be produced, with a 30-day public consultation on the resulting discussion paper.
• October 2015 - The Climate Leadership Team will present its recommendations to government.
• December 2015 - A draft Climate Leadership Plan will be prepared, and a 30-day public consultation will take place.
• March 2016 - The final Climate Leadership Plan will be released publicly.

“British Columbia is known around the world for our climate leadership,” said Environment Minister Mary Polak. “The Climate Leadership Team will help provide us with the tools necessary to maintain and enhance our leadership, and help move B.C.’s climate agenda forward.”

Learn More:

Biographies of Climate Leadership Team members can be viewed at:
http://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/topic.page?id=CA2DC20EF5404F9BB5B8A4D7733F94E4

The 2008 Climate Action Plan and information about B.C.’s climate actions can be viewed at: http://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/theme.page?id=4D9B65E26DFA11EF78C200B82FAD10BD

A backgrounder follows.

Media Contacts:

Sam Oliphant
Press Secretary
Office of the Premier
250 952-7252

Media Relations
Ministry of Environment
250 953-3834

BACKGROUNDER

Climate Leadership Team members and special advisors

Climate Leadership Team Members

British Columbia Government

• Mike Bernier, chair of the Climate Leadership Team, Parliamentary Secretary for Energy Literacy and the Environment for the Minister of Environment, and MLA for Peace River South
• Jordan Sturdy, deputy chair of the Climate Leadership Team, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure, and MLA for West Vancouver-Sea to Sky
• Susanna Laaksonen-Craig, head, Climate Action Secretariat

Academic

• Tom Pedersen, executive director, Pacific Institute for Climate Solutions
• Nancy Olewiler, professor, School of Public Policy, Simon Fraser University
• James Tansey, associate professor at UBC Sauder School of Business, and CEO and co-founder of Offsetters

Community Interests

• Paul Ives, mayor of the Town of Comox
• Luke Strimbold, mayor of the Village of Burns Lake
• Linda Hepner, mayor of the City of Surrey

Business Interests

• James Gorman, president and CEO of the Council of Forest Industries, and, from May 19, vice president of corporate and government relations for West Fraser
• Greg McDougall, CEO, Harbour Air
• Tim Newton, former vice president of strategic planning with Powerex, and director of Columbia Power
• David Keane, president, BC LNG Alliance

Environmental Interests

• Merran Smith, executive director, Clean Energy Canada and fellow, Simon Fraser University's Centre for Dialogue
• Matt Horne, associate regional director for British Columbia, Pembina Institute
• Tzeporah Berman, strategic advisor on clean energy, oil sands and pipelines, and former co-director of Greenpeace International’s Global Climate and Energy Program

First Nations

• Chief Ian Campbell, Squamish First Nation
• Chief Zach Parker, Ulkatcho First Nation
• Chief Michelle Edwards, Cayoose Creek Indian Band

Special Advisors to the Climate Leadership Team

The Climate Leadership Team will be supported by the following group of special advisors who are subject matter experts and thought leaders regarding climate and economic policy:

• John Robinson, associate provost for sustainability, and professor at the Institute for Resources, Environment and Sustainability, University of British Columbia
• Les MacLaren, assistant deputy minister, B.C. Ministry of Energy and Mines
• Mary Sjostrom, former mayor of Quesnel, and past president of the Union of British Columbia Municipalities
• Jock Finlayson, executive vice president and chief policy officer, Business Council of British Columbia

Media Contacts:

Sam Oliphant
Press Secretary
Office of the Premier
250 952-7252

Media Relations
Ministry of Environment
250 953-3834