Since the introduction of the Climate Action Plan in 2008, British Columbia has been recognized as a world leader in the fight against climate change, showing Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions can be reduced while the economy continues to grow.

British Columbia was the first jurisdiction in North America to introduce a broad-based, revenue-neutral carbon tax. Independent research conducted by Dr. Stewart Elgie at the University of Ottawa found that since implementation of the carbon tax, per capita use of fuel in British Columbia has dropped 16%, while it has risen in the rest of Canada.

Requiring industries in British Columbia to monitor and report emissions is a key element of the Province’s climate agenda. The 2014 Industrial Greenhouse Gas Emissions Report Summaries are now available online, providing a snapshot of administrative data and reported emissions from industrial operations within British Columbia.

The 2014 summaries show provincial industrial GHG emissions went up slightly – 2.1% – from 2013 to 2014, which can be attributed to emissions in oil and gas production due to economic growth. However, emissions caused from waste treatment, and mining and smelting decreased by 6.8 and 7% respectively.

Under B.C.’s Reporting Regulation, facilities emitting 10,000 tonnes or more of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions per year must report out to government. Operations emitting 25,000 tonnes or greater must also have their report verified by an accredited third party before submission.

In 2014, 131 industrial operations from 108 companies reported to government, and 89 operations received third-party verification. Reporting operations represented 31% (20.3 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent) of provincial total GHG emissions (64 million tonnes of carbon dioxide) based on the last available year.

The Industrial Greenhouse Gas Emissions Report Summaries are an integral part of annual greenhouse gas reporting.
To view the 2014 report summaries, please visit: http://ow.ly/XEmB4

Because the provincial government recognizes B.C. must do even more to remain a global climate leader, the Province is moving its climate agenda forward through the development of a new Climate Leadership Plan. To participate in the plan, which will keep the province on a path towards long-term climate goals, please visit: http://engage.gov.bc.ca/climateleadership