British Columbia has achieved carbon neutrality across its provincial public sector for the fifth consecutive year, as confirmed in the Carbon Neutral Government Year in Review 2014 report.

Carbon neutrality is one of many strategies for encouraging emissions reductions and taking leadership on climate action.

To become carbon neutral, an organization, business or government measures its carbon footprint, reduces that footprint as much as possible each fiscal year, offsets any emissions that cannot be reduced and reports on greenhouse gas emissions.

In B.C., all hospitals, schools, colleges and universities, Crown corporations, and government ministries and agencies have been carbon neutral for their operations since 2010 for their paper, fleet and building emissions. Government ministries and agencies are also carbon neutral for their business travel.

In March 2014, B.C.’s carbon neutral government program was enhanced by expanding the successful Carbon Neutral Capital Program for public K-to-12 schools to include health authorities and public post-secondary institutions, with a total of $14.5 million in funding available annually. Carbon-neutral capital investments reduce energy costs, demonstrate clean technology, lower emissions, and can help public sector organizations finance further energy projects and improve public services.

B.C.’s carbon neutral government program is complemented by a number of other greenhouse gas emissions reduction activities and policies as outlined in the Province’s Climate Action Plan, including the highly successful carbon tax, local government Climate Action Charter and industrial reporting regulation.

Government also released Annual Offset Portfolio 2014, which is a companion report to Carbon Neutral Government Year in Review 2014. Annual Offset Portfolio 2014 provides information about the offsets B.C. will retire by June 30, 2015 to make the public service carbon neutral.

Quotes:

Mary Polak, Minister of Environment -

“B.C.’s achievement of carbon neutral government five years in a row is an unprecedented accomplishment. We are still the only province, territory or state in North America to be carbon neutral.”

Mike Bernier, Parliamentary Secretary for Energy Literacy and the Environment for the Minister of Environment -

“Building on our past climate achievements, we are working with British Columbians on new climate actions to support a growing economy while reducing emissions. We’re dedicated to ensuring B.C. remains a global leader in climate action, which is why we are moving our climate agenda forward by developing a new Climate Leadership Plan.”

Learn More:

To view Carbon Neutral Government Year in Review 2014 and Annual Offset Portfolio 2014, visit: http://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/environment/climate-change/reports-data/carbon-neutral-action-reports

To learn more about B.C.’s carbon neutral government program, visit: http://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/environment/climate-change/policy-legislation-programs/carbon-neutral-government

Media Contacts:

Media Relations
Ministry of Environment
250 953-3834