The British Columbia government is taking action on climate change by setting sectoral greenhouse gas (GHG) targets to guide emission reductions, while supporting B.C. industry and with investments in new cleantech projects to reduce emissions.
“People in British Columbia want steady progress on climate change coupled with good jobs and strong communities, supported by businesses that are reducing pollution and thriving in the global clean economy,” said George Heyman, B.C.’s Minister of Environment and Climate Change Strategy. “To achieve this, we are setting sectoral emission targets that will keep government accountable as we work with each sector of the economy to reduce emissions while remaining globally competitive.”
Sectoral GHG targets have been established for 2030 in transportation, industry, oil and gas, and buildings and communities – expressed as a range of five percentage points. British Columbia is the first province in Canada to set sectoral targets covering emissions across the economy. As part of legislated requirements, government will review the targets by 2025, with options to expand the number of sectors included and narrow the percentage ranges.
The province is supporting sectoral efforts to reduce emissions by accelerating investment in CleanBC projects to reduce pollution, drive clean tech innovation and jobs, and meet expanding global demand for low-carbon products in a net-zero future.
“British Columbia is leading the way forward in Canada by setting sectoral targets that will help increase accountability and clarity for each sector, as we work together to reach a world of net-zero emissions,” said Colleen Giroux-Schmidt, vice-president of corporate relations, Innergex Renewable Energy Inc., and co-chair, B.C.’s Climate Solutions Council. “By investing in new opportunities to reduce emissions through cleaner technologies and energy efficiency, B.C. can build a better future that supports people in communities across the province.”
The province has launched a new round of applications for emission reduction projects for 2021 through the CleanBC Industry Fund with temporary changes to increase the provincial share of funding up to 90 per cent of project costs with a cap of $25 million per project to encourage a greater number of proposals.
In addition, a new stream of the CleanBC Industry Fund will support industry projects that use advanced clean tech solutions for tough-to-solve emission problems. This new stream is called the Innovation Accelerator.
For further information on the CleanBC Industry Fund and for a full list of projects, click here.
Featured image from CleanBC.
