New BC climate plan promises to hit targets but gets mixed reaction

The province has unveiled a new Climate Leadership Plan, which it says will create up to 66,000 green jobs, and prevent up to 25 million tonnes of annual greenhouse gas emissions.

However, despite calls for the carbon tax to go up, it will not be changing. At least, not yet.

According to the province, BC has the highest carbon tax in North America at $30 per tonne. It has been frozen until 2018, as the province waits for others to “catch up.”

Meanwhile, among other moves, the Climate Leadership Plan aims to help people to buy electric cars, develop electric vehicle charging infrastructure, and improve transit.

As well, the government plans to regulate carbon capture projects, promote renewable natural gas use, and plant up to 300,000 hectares of new trees over the next five years.

Buildings will also be made more energy efficient and the development of net zero buildings, that produce at least as much energy as they consume, will be encouraged.

Cheaper LNG?

In keeping with Premier Christy Clark’s hopes for the liquefied natural gas industry in BC, the plan also involves increasing the province’s use of LNG.

First of all, the province will ask the federal government for infrastructure funding to help “close the gap” between electricity and natural gas costs.

“Construction of this infrastructure will begin once LNG companies make their final investment decisions,” said a statement from the province.

Marine vessels will also be encouraged to use liquefied natural gas, meanwhile renewable natural gas will be encouraged for commercial fleets of vehicles.

The province believes the plan, which has 21 “action points,” will help BC achieve its 2050 target of an 80% reduction in emissions from 2007 levels.

21 action points in the plan

1. Launching a strategy to reduce methane emissions
2. Regulating carbon capture and storage projects
3. The BC government is in dialogue with the federal government to provide the necessary capital to develop the required infrastructure
4. Increasing the Low Carbon Fuel Standard
5. Incentives for using renewable natural gas
6. Incentives for purchasing a clean energy vehicle
7. Supporting vehicle charging development for zero emission vehicles
8. 10-year plan to improve BC’s transportation network
9. Enhancing the carbon storage potential of BC’s forests
10. Developing a nutrient management program to reduce emissions
11. Making BC’s electricity 100% renewable or clean
12. Efficient electrification
13. Fuelling marine vessels with cleaner burning LNG
14. New energy efficiency standards for gas fired boilers
15. Expanding incentives to promote adoption of efficient gas equipment
16. Regulations for more energy efficient buildings
17. Encouraging development of net zero buildings
18. Refreshing the Climate Action Charter for communities
19. Creating a strategy to turn waste into resources
20. Promoting use of low carbon and renewable materials in infrastructure
21. Reducing emissions and planning for adaptation in the public sector

‘Create a level playing field’

In a release reacting to the plan, the Business Council of BC supported the province’s efforts but expressed concern about being able to grow jobs in this climate.

“As a small trading economy, BC is competing with jurisdictions that have not taken similar climate management steps, putting a number of our energy-intensive, trade-exposed industries at a disadvantage in the global market,” President & CEO Greg D’Avignon and EVP & Chief Policy Officer Jock Finlayson said in the joint statement.

The council supports putting a price on carbon emissions, said the statement, but it was time to match others’ carbon tax rates instead of waiting for others to catch up.

“There are some businesses operating in British Columbia that pay upwards of $30 to $50 million in carbon tax each year.”

“In the wider Canadian context the Business Council supports putting a price on carbon emissions to incent behavioural change and encourage increased investments in low-carbon technologies.

“For British Columbia, this means coordinating carbon pricing with the national government to create a level playing field for business and industry across the country.”

‘Massive missed opportunity’

Meanwhile, the national director of non-profit environmental group Stand, (formerly ForestEthics), said she was dismayed and disappointed by the government’s plan.

“While the plan claims to create a decrease in emissions the actual policies outlined will likely lead to an increase in CO2 emissions over the next decade,” said Karen Mahon in a release.

“Today’s announcement is a massive missed opportunity just at the moment in history when we need real leadership on climate change.”

Mahon said the plan failed to take into account forest losses and the impact on carbon emissions – would increase sectors like LNG that would end up raising emissions.

“Today’s announcement confirms that BC has been knocked off the podium for climate leadership in Canada” said fellow Stand campaigner Sven Biggs.

“Premier Clark has squandered Gordon Campbell’s legacy and our province’s national leadership role.”

To read the full plan and decide for yourself, check here: climate.gov.bc.ca