Building on British Columbia’s climate success in advance of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in Paris this December, Premier Christy Clark today announced the Province is challenging other jurisdictions to match or exceed the world-leading standard B.C. has set for climate action.

“British Columbia has set the global standard for carbon pricing with our carbon tax, and other governments are increasingly getting on board,” said Premier Christy Clark. “The climate action challenge we’re making to other governments is clear and simple: meet it or beat it. Anything we can do to encourage steps in the right direction will help make a difference.”

In recognition of B.C.’s demonstrated climate leadership in reducing greenhouse gas emissions while growing a strong, diverse economy and creating jobs, Premier Clark has been invited by the World Bank to participate in conversations about climate change at the World Bank-International Monetary Fund (IMF) Spring Meetings in Washington, D.C. on April 17. Premier Clark will talk specifically about B.C.’s carbon tax, which sets a powerful example for the world. This is the first time a Canadian premier has been invited to speak at this forum.

Meanwhile, Mike Bernier, Parliamentary Secretary for Energy Literacy and the Environment for the Minister of Environment, has brought the ‘meet it or beat it’ challenge to Boston, at the invitation of Massachusetts legislators who are considering a carbon tax of their own. Bernier spoke about B.C.’s climate actions, including its revenue-neutral carbon tax, at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Boston on April 13. Bernier also will bring the challenge to the Council of the Federation when he represents Premier Clark at the First Ministers’ climate summit in Quebec City on April 14.

Premier Clark also announced work will soon get underway to build on B.C.’s successful Climate Action Plan to help move the Province’s climate agenda forward, ensuring that B.C. remains a global climate leader.

The first step in that process will be the formation of a new Climate Leadership Team, to be chaired by Bernier. The Climate Leadership Team, to be comprised of leaders from the business, academic and environmental communities, including First Nations, will provide advice and recommendations to government on how to maintain B.C.’s climate leadership through a new Climate Action Plan 2.0. Team members are expected to be announced in the coming weeks.

“B.C. has shown we can move forward on reducing greenhouse gas emissions while continuing to grow the economy,” said Environment Minister Mary Polak. “We proved the critics wrong by meeting our 2012 GHG reduction target, and we remain committed to achieving the 2020 and 2050 targets as well. However, we have been clear from the outset that more actions would be needed to meet our legislated targets. The Climate Leadership Team will help us move the bar even higher as we develop our Climate Action Plan 2.0.”

Learn More:

The 2008 Climate Action Plan and other 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

BACKGROUNDER

Status of B.C.’s Climate Action Plan

Most 2008 Climate Action Plan actions are completed or underway across all sectors.

British Columbia achieved its 2012 interim GHG reduction target of 6% below 2007 levels, while B.C.’s population and GDP increased.

B.C. has seen a 48% growth in clean-technology sector sales since introduction of the Climate Action Plan.

B.C. is recognized globally by the World Bank and Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) as a model for smart climate policy.

B.C.’s longer-term targets include a 33% reduction from 2007 levels by 2020, and an 80% reduction by 2050.

Sources of greenhouse gas emissions in B.C.

B.C.’s current GHG emissions come from the following sources:

• Commercial transportation - 24%
• Fossil fuel production - 17%
• Personal transportation - 13%
• Commercial and residential buildings - 11%
• Net deforestation - 6%
• Waste - 6%
• Agriculture - 3%
• Electricity - 1%
• Other industry - 19%

Media Contacts:

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