Higher carbon tax, more electric vehicles: BC reviews plan to combat climate change

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Other proposals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions include more public transportation, making new buildings carbonless, and reducing oil and gas emissions.

Author of the article:

Lisa cordasco

Publication date:

October 25, 2021 • 11 minutes ago • 1 minute read • Join the conversation

British Columbia Prime Minister John Horgan, seen here addressing the media on October 21, said British Columbia is already feeling the effects of climate change with wildfires,
British Columbia Prime Minister John Horgan, seen here addressing the media on October 21, said British Columbia is already feeling the effects of climate change with wildfires, “from devastating wildfires to intense heat waves and droughts “. Photo by Felipe Fittipaldi /PNG

A higher carbon tax, new requirements for cleaner fuels, more public transit and stricter emissions requirements for the industry are part of a revised CleanBC plan, announced by the provincial government on Monday in preparation for the UN COP26 conference that starts in Scotland next. Sunday.

“Here in British Columbia, the threat of climate change is no longer in decades or even years. The impacts are all around us, from devastating wildfires to intense heat waves and droughts, “said British Columbia Prime Minister John Horgan. “The scale of the climate emergency demands that we act more urgently than ever.

BC has set new targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to 40% of 2007 levels by 2030 and to zero net emissions by 2050.

It says it will meet those goals with 20 proposals, including requiring all new buildings to be zero carbon emitters and reducing vehicle use by 25 percent by 2030, as well as requiring that all new vehicles sold by 2035. be electric.

The province has promised to raise the price of carbon pollution to meet or exceed the federal benchmark, with support for individuals and businesses, however, it did not announce the amount of the increase or when it will take effect.

It will also target industry by eliminating methane gas emissions in the oil, gas, mining and wood waste sectors by 2035, reducing oil and gas emissions by 33% by 2030, and setting sectoral targets of net zero emissions. by 2050.

BC Environment Minister George Heyman said the so-called “CleanBC Roadmap” is the result of “significant collaboration between government, industry, indigenous groups and individuals.” He said the government will have to account for progress made with a mandatory annual report.

More to come …

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Reference-vancouversun.com

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