40 BC businesses pen open letter on climate change to Premier John Horgan

Business leaders from across BC’s corporate sector have submitted an open letter to BC Premier John Horgan, calling on the provincial government to “keep BC at the forefront of climate action and clean economic growth.”

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Those behind the letter say BC has a once-in-a-generation opportunity to create jobs, encourage innovation, build healthy and safe communities, and reduce waste.

The release of the letter coincides with the launch of the Business Coalition for a Clean Economy – a network of 40 companies that believe building a clean economy, powered by renewable energy, is key to ensuring B.C.’s future prosperity in a rapidly changing world.

“For all businesses, climate change is a risk to the bottom line,” the letter reads. “However, it’s also a once-in-a-generation opportunity for BC to create jobs, encourage innovation, build healthy and safe communities, and reduce waste.”

Endorsed by a variety of companies, including Lush Fresh Handmade Cosmetics, Hootsuite, Nature’s Path Foods, Vancouver Film Studios, MEC, Persephone Brewing, Carbon Engineering, and Earnest Ice Cream, the signatories are meant to represent the brewing, clothing, construction, cosmetics, energy, film and television, food, financial, investment, manufacturing, outdoor recreation, technology, transportation, and other industries.

“BC is a hub for sustainable innovation, social responsibility, and climate solutions, and businesses are key to B.C.’s success on these fronts,” said Karen Tam Wu, BC director at Pembina Institute.

The letter itself touches on three key areas:

1. Growing clean jobs and attracting global investment: Policies and incentives that spark clean innovation and fuel demand for low-carbon goods and services;
2. Making clean choices more affordable and accessible: Supporting small and medium-size businesses in their efforts to reduce carbon pollution, prepare for the low-carbon future, and invest in clean solutions;
3. Building resilient communities: Taking concrete steps to protect communities from the impacts of climate change on public health and safety, infrastructure, property, and the economy

Climate change is both a challenge and an opportunity for BC,” the letter says. “Now more than ever, we need the BC government to demonstrate bold, sustained leadership by prioritizing investments in the clean future.”

The letter in its entirety can be read here: