British Columbia remains a global climate leader as demonstrated at the historic COP 21 Paris climate change conference.

In Paris, British Columbia was represented at a number of panel talks, including global carbon pricing discussions, carbon neutrality, subnational and local government leadership, land use and forestry, clean transportation and buildings, and success stories from jurisdictions around the world.

Between Premier Christy Clark and Environment Minister Mary Polak, B.C. met with numerous officials and jurisdictions including:

• United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki Moon. BC was one of only 14 jurisdictions invited to this meeting.
• Prime Minister Trudeau, Federal Environment Minister Catherine McKenna, and other Canadian premiers and ministers;
• Máximo Pacheco, Chile’s Minister of Energy;
• Sir David King, Special Representative for Climate Change to the UK;
• Aitmadi Dr. Mahmoud Eboo, Ismaili Imamat’s Senior Aga Khan Development Network Representative to Canada;
• Mary Robinson, former president of Ireland; currently president of the Mary Robinson Foundation, Climate Justice;
• Ruchi Sadhir, Energy Advisor to Oregon Governor Kate Brown;
• Mark Kenber, CEO of The Climate Group; and
• Ian Bruce, manager of science and policy with the David Suzuki Foundation.

Minister Polak also signed agreements on behalf of the Province of British Columbia, including:

• the International Zero-Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Alliance, which requires signatories to make all new passenger vehicles ZEVs no later than 2050;
• the RegionsAdapt Initiative, which commits governments to adopt a strategic approach to adaptation, prioritize adaptation actions, and report out on these actions annually; and
• the intent for B.C. to join the Governors’ Climate and Forests Task Force (GCF) – the first Canadian jurisdiction to sign onto this agreement. As an observer to the GCF, B.C. will work with participating members work to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from deforestation, while building the credibility of forest carbon programs on a global scale.

Government spent $74,169 to attend the COP 21 climate summit in Paris. This includes flights, accommodation and meals for Premier Clark, Polak and seven other staff.

Learn more about B.C.’s activities during COP 21 by visiting: www.env.gov.bc.ca/main/cop