Re: “An open letter to Premier Clark on climate leadership” (March 3)
Through our Climate Leadership Plan (CLP), we are reducing our net annual greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) by up to 25 megatonnes below current forecasts by 2050. By 2030, our strong climate actions are expected to reduce annual emissions by up to 12 megatonnes.
The GHG reductions are largely due to the 21 new actions included in the CLP, spanning the province’s transportation and industrial sectors, along with the built environment and government operations. We know our revenue neutral carbon tax is globally recognized as a key climate policy but on its own, the higher carbon tax proposed within the Federal plan will deliver a reduction of a mere one megatonne of GHG emissions.
Many of these new actions in our CLP are already underway. Most recently we’ve announced a $150-million investment in reforestation, as well as a $40-million investment to expand the Clean Energy Vehicle (CEV) program. Regulations are also now in place to promote electrification of upstream natural gas development and we will be implementing more action items as we complete the plan.
While B.C.’s per capita emissions are already among the lowest in Canada, we know there’s more work to do. Our Climate Leadership Plan provides the roadmap to reduce harmful GHG emissions while continuing to grow the economy and create jobs.
Mary Polak
Minister of Environment
