Government Climate Initiatives
Here are some climate initiatives that have been taken by the BC provincial government, by local governments, by the federal government, and at the international level
Climate Data
Climate Change Indicators https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/environment/research-monitoring-reporting/reporting/environmental-reporting-bc/climate-change-indicators
Provincial GHG Emissions Inventory https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/environment/climate-change/data/provincial-inventory
Greenhouse Gas Industrial Reporting and Control Act (2016) – established greenhouse gas emissions reporting requirements and enabled the ability for standards to be developed for industrial facilities or sectors, including a compliance and enforcement regime. Three regulations exist under the Act: Greenhouse Gas Emission Reporting Regulation: Industrial facilities that emit over 10,000 tonnes of GHG emissions per year must report their emissions; Greenhouse Gas Emission Control Regulation: Operators who fail to meet their GHG emissions standards purchase offsets; Greenhouse Gas Emission Administrative Penalties and Appeals Regulation: Outlines administrative penalties for non-compliance.
Clean Economy
B.C. has the opportunity to reach our emissions reduction goals while building a clean economy that is ready for a net zero emissions future. Around the world, investors and governments are investing trillions into an economic transition that focuses on protecting the environment and building a stronger, more equitable economy. Through CleanBC, the Province is helping spur innovation and technical change that can meet the growing global demand for cleaner products and services. Together with industry and partners we’re embracing the new approaches needed to meet our climate goals and create new low-carbon economic opportunities. https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/environment/climate-change/clean-economy
Stronger BC 20 April 2021 Budget—Backgrounder https://www.bcbudget.gov.bc.ca/2021/pdf/2021_Backgrounder_7_CleanBC.pdf
Stronger BC September 2020 https://news.gov.bc.ca/files/StrongerBC_BCs-Economic-Recovery_Backgrounders.pdf
Climate Action and Accountability
2020 Climate Change Accountability Report https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/environment/climate-change/action/cleanbc/2020_climate_change_accountability_report.pdf
CleanBC
The CleanBC Roadmap to 2030 (October 2021): https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/environment/climate-change/action/cleanbc/cleanbc_roadmap_to_2030.pdf
Climate Action and Legislation: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/environment/climate-change/planning-and-action/legislation
Through CleanBC, the Province works with a range of partners to reduce emissions, create opportunities and manage risks from our changing climate. Each year, government publishes a climate change accountability report with the latest details on CleanBC actions and information on B.C.’s progress to our greenhouse gas targets. https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/environment/climate-change/planning-and-action
CleanBC https://cleanbc.gov.bc.ca/
CleanBC March 2019 Report https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/environment/climate-change/action/cleanbc/cleanbc_2018-bc-climate-strategy.pdf
CleanBC 2018 Climate Action Plan—Our Nature Our Power, Our Future https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/environment/climate-change/action/cleanbc/cleanbc_2018-bc-climate-strategy.pdf
Supporting the Development of CleanBC: 2020 Updated Report for Assessing the Impacts of CleanBC Policies https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/environment/climate-change/action/cleanbc/2020_cleanbc_methodology_report.pdf
Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/governments/organizational-structure/ministries-organizations/ministries/environment-climate-change
Inter-Government Collaboration https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/environment/climate-change/planning-and-action/government-collaboration
Climate Change and Action https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/environment/climate-change
Climate Action Secretariat
The Climate Action Secretariat, a branch of the Environment and Climate Change Ministry, monitors environmental impact of provincial activities and coordinates the planning and implementation of adaptive measures in response to climate change.
Climate Solutions Council https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/environment/climate-change/planning-and-action/advisory-council/council-members Participants: Indigenous, Labour, Industry, Environmental NGO’s, Academics, Municipal.
Community, Regional and International collaboration on climate change: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/environment/climate-change/planning-and-action/government-collaboration .
Indigenous Peoples
Indigenous Communities Adapt https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/environment/climate-change/adaptation/indigenous-adapt
Indigenous Engagement on Environmental Assessment Revitalization https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/environment/natural-resource-stewardship/environmental-assessments/environmental-assessment-revitalization/engagement-on-revitalization
Indigenous Climate Adaptation Technical Working Group Application (Reposting for Omineca and Northern B.C.) https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/environment/climate-change/adaptation/working-group
Indigenous Peoples & LNG https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/industry/natural-gas-oil/lng/indigenous-peoples-and-lng
Clean Transportation
Whether it’s getting the kids to school or getting goods to market, transportation is a big part of daily life. To keep reducing our emissions as our economy and transportation needs grow, B.C. is taking action through CleanBC to accelerate the move to lower-carbon transportation and prepare our transportation networks for climate impacts. https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/environment/climate-change/clean-transportation
Zero-Emission Vehicles Act 2019: Requires automakers to meet an escalating annual percentage of new light-duty zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) sales and leases: 10% of light-duty vehicle sales by 2025, 30% by 2030 and 100% by 2040; to ensure a greater availability of ZEVs at more affordable prices in B.C. https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/environment/climate-change/planning-and-action/legislation
CleanBC Active Transportation Strategy https://cleanbc.gov.bc.ca/active/
Clean Transportation Policies & Programs https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/industry/electricity-alternative-energy/transportation-energies/clean-transportation-policies-programs
2020 Annual ZEV Update https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/industry/electricity-alternative-energy/transportation-energies/clean-transportation-policies-programs
Renewable and Low Carbon Fuels https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/industry/electricity-alternative-energy/transportation-energies/renewable-low-carbon-fuels
BC Public Light-Duty Zero-Emission Vehicle Infrastructure Study https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/industry/electricity-alternative-energy/transportation-energies/clean-transportation-policies-programs/clean-energy-vehicle-program/dcfc-program
Buildings and Communities
Through CleanBC the Province is raising the standards for new construction, encouraging energy-saving improvements in existing homes, schools and workplaces, and supporting communities in reducing greenhouse gasses and preparing for the effects of climate change. https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/environment/climate-change/clean-buildings
The B.C. Energy Step Code (2017) A voluntary provincial standard for low energy buildings beyond the requirements of the base BC Building Code. It is measurable, performance-based energy-efficiency. https://energystepcode.ca/ and https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/industry/construction-industry/building-codes-standards/energy-efficiency
The B.C. Building Code (2018) Introduced new energy-efficiency requirements for houses and small buildings. http://www.bccodes.ca/building-code.html
Paving the Road to 2030 and Beyond: Market Transformation Roadmap for Energy Efficient Equipment in the Building Sector https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/farming-natural-resources-and-industry/electricity-alternative-energy/energy-efficiency/18-00072-nrcan-road-map-eng.pdf
Energy
Ministry of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/governments/organizational-structure/ministries-organizations/ministries/energy-mines-and-petroleum-resources
Electricity & Alternative Energy https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/industry/electricity-alternative-energy
Comprehensive Review of BC Hydro—Phase 1 https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/industry/electricity-alternative-energy/electricity/bc-hydro-review-phase-1
Comprehensive Review of BC Hydro—Phase 2 Interim Report https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/industry/electricity-alternative-energy/electricity/bc-hydro-review-phase-2
Site C: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/industry/electricity-alternative-energy/electricity/site-c
Site C Clean Energy Project https://www.sitecproject.com/
Petroleum and Natural Gas Royalties: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/industry/natural-gas-oil/oil-gas-royalties
Agriculture
Climate Action for Agriculture https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/industry/agriculture-seafood/agricultural-land-and-environment/climate-action
Planning for Biodiversity: A Guide for BC Farmers and Ranchers https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/farming-natural-resources-and-industry/agriculture-and-seafood/agricultural-land-and-environment/environmental-farm-planning/biodiversity-guide.pdf
Future of BC’s Food System https://engage.gov.bc.ca/app/uploads/sites/121/2020/01/FSTF-Report-2020-The-Future-of-Food.pdf
Climate Change Adaptation Pathways Framework: Supporting Sustainable Local Food in BC https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/farming-natural-resources-and-industry/agriculture-and-seafood/agricultural-land-and-environment/climate-action/cc-adaptation-pathways-framework.pdf
Climate and Agricultural Initiative BC https://www.climateagriculturebc.ca/
Regional Agricultural Adaptation Plans (Climate and Agriculture Initiative BC) https://www.climateagriculturebc.ca/regional-adaptation/
Forests
Forest Carbon Strategy 2016-2020 https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/environment/natural-resource-stewardship/nrs-climate-change/bc_forest_carbon_strategy_09092016_sept_21.pdf
Interim Assessment Protocol for Forest Biodiversity in BC, Sept. 2020 https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/environment/natural-resource-stewardship/cumulative-effects/protocols/cef_forest_biodiversity_protocol_sept2020_final.pdf
Forest Carbon Initiative https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/environment/natural-resource-stewardship/natural-resources-climate-change/natural-resources-climate-change-mitigation/forest-carbon-initiative
The Future is Here: An Urgent Call to Defend Nature, Stabilize the Climate and Transitioning to Post-Carbon Prosperity, 2017 (Sierra Club BC) https://sierraclub.bc.ca/wp-content/uploads/SierraClubBC_Future_Is_Here.pdf
Environmental Reporting BC https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/environment/research-monitoring-reporting/reporting/environmental-reporting-bc
Public Engagement on Environmental Assessment Revitalization https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/environment/natural-resource-stewardship/environmental-assessments/environmental-assessment-revitalization/engagement-on-revitalization
Forests (non-governmental)
Forestry and Carbon in BC (Skeena Watershed Conservation Coalition, Feb. 2019) https://skeenawatershed.com/resource_files/Pojar-ForestsAndCarboninBC-2019.pdf
Carbon Tools & Resources for Climate Mitigation in Forestry https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/environment/natural-resource-stewardship/natural-resources-climate-change/natural-resources-climate-change-mitigation/tools-resources
Clearcut Carbon: A Sierra Club Report on the Future of Forests in British Columbia, December 2019 https://sierraclub.bc.ca/clearcutcarbon/
Air & Water
Air https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/environment/air-land-water/air
Biodiversity, Fish & Wildlife
Climate Change Vulnerability of BC’s Fish and Wildlife: First Approximation https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/environment/natural-resource-stewardship/nrs-climate-change/adaptation/climate20change20vulnerability20of20bcs20fish20and20wildlife20final20june6.pdf
Climate Adaptation
Climate Preparedness and Adaption Strategy—Draft Strategy and Phase 1 Actions for 2021- 2022 https://engage.gov.bc.ca/app/uploads/sites/568/2021/06/Climate-Preparedness-and-Adaptation-Strategy-2021.pdf
Preliminary Strategic Climate Risk Assessment https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/environment/climate-change/adaptation/risk-assessment
Canada’s Climate Change Adaptation Platform https://www.nrcan.gc.ca/climate-change/impacts-adaptations/adapting-our-changing-climate/10027
Climate Change Adaptation: Tools & Resources https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/environment/climate-change/adaptation/resources
Climate Adaptation (non-governmental)
Pacific Climate Impacts Consortium, UVic https://www.pacificclimate.org/
Local Government
Local Government (Green Communities) Statutes Amendment Act (2008) – supports local governments in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, conserving energy and working towards creating more compact and sustainable communities. The amendments require GHG emission reduction targets in local Official Community Plans and Regional Growth Strategies.
Local Government Climate Change Adaptation https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/governments/local-governments/climate-action/adaptation
Local Government Climate Action Charter https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/governments/local-governments/climate-action/bc-climate-action-charter
Government of Canada
Net-Zero Climate Accountability Act (Bill C-12) https://www.parl.ca/DocumentViewer/en/43-2/bill/C-12/first-reading
2021-22 Departmental Plan: Environment and Climate Change Canada https://www.canada.ca/en/environment-climate-change/corporate/transparency/priorities-management/departmental-plans/2021-2022.htmlT
Canada in a Changing Climate: The national assessment of how and why Canada’s climate is changing; the impacts of these changes on our communities, environment, and economy; and how we are adapting. https://changingclimate.ca/national-issues
Canada’s Climate Retrofit Mission: Why the Climate Emergency Demands an Innovative-oriented Policy for Building Retrofits https://www.efficiencycanada.org/retrofit-mission/
A Healthy Environment and a Healthy Economy: Canada’s Strengthened Climate Plan to Create Jobs and Support People, Communities and the Planet, 2020 https://www.canada.ca/content/dam/eccc/documents/pdf/climate-change/climate-plan/healthy_environment_healthy_economy_plan.pdf
Climate Change Reports https://changingclimate.ca/
Canadian Centre for Climate Services https://www.canada.ca/en/environment-climate-change/services/climate-change/canadian-centre-climate-services.html
Map of Adaptive Action—Case Studies https://changingclimate.ca/case-studies/#reports
Canada’s Climate Change Adaptation Platform (2016): https://www.nrcan.gc.ca/sites/www.nrcan.gc.ca/files/oee/pdf/transportation/tools/fuelratings/FINALJANUARY2016ProductandprojectlistENGLISH.pdf
International
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change https://www.ipcc.ch/report/sixth-assessment-report-cycle/
United Nations Climate Change Reports https://www.un.org/en/climatechange/reports
Toward a National Adaptation Strategy for Canada: Key Insights from Global Peers (IISD, June 2021) https://www.iisd.org/system/files/2021-06/national-adaptation-strategy-canada.pdf
Many thanks to Sharon Quigley for compiling this info!
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