Climate change in British Columbia

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Climate change in the Canadian province of British Columbia affects various environments and industries, including agriculture. The Government of British Columbia has enacted several goals to reduce carbon emissions, though these have been adjusted over time due to not being met. Investments in wind energy projects are among the remedies thus far enacted. The impact of climate change in British Columbia includes concerns over rising sea levels and warmer air temperatures negatively impacting the province's ecosystem.

Contents

Greenhouse gas emissions

British Columbia has announced many ambitious policies to address climate change mitigation, particularly through its Climate Action Plan, [1] released in 2008. It has set legislated greenhouse gas reduction targets of 33% below 2007 levels by 2020 and 80% by 2050. [2]

British Columbia's provincial public sector organizations became the first in North America to be considered carbon neutral in 2010, partly by purchasing carbon offsets. [3] [4] The Clean Energy Vehicles Program provides incentives for the purchase of approved clean energy vehicles and for charging infrastructure installation. [5] There has been action across sectors including financing options and incentives for building retrofits, a Forest Carbon Offset Protocol, a Renewable and Low Carbon Fuel Standard, and landfill gas management regulation.[ citation needed ]

British Columbia's GHG emissions have been going down, and in 2012 (based on 2010 data) British Columbia declared it was within reach of meeting its interim target of a 6% reduction below 2007 levels by 2012. GHG emissions went down by 4.5% between 2007 and 2010, and consumption of all the main fossil fuels are down in British Columbia as well while GDP and population have both been growing. [6]

In 2018 it was announced that the province "after stalling on sustained climate action for several years, admitted they could not meet their 2020 target", the 33% reduction target had stalled at 6.5%. [7] Provincially British Columbia is the second-largest consumer of natural gas at 2.3 billion cubic feet per day. [8]

Impacts of climate change

Sea level rise

Sea levels on British Columbia's North Coast are rising faster than on other parts of the British Columbia coastline. [9]

Infrastructure and built environment

A 2015 report warned that most dikes would possibly fail under the stress of increased flooding. [10] A 2025 report indicated that new housing built in high risk zones, regarding floods and fires would be highly expensive over time. [11]

Ecosystems

Climate change is affecting British Columbia's aquatic life due to warmer air and water temperatures, posing a risk to fish due to the increasing temperatures leading to faster metabolism and less energy. [12]

Heatwaves

Heatwaves led to increased flash flooding in 2021 due to a reduction in the vegetation that would absorb the rainfall. [13]

Response

In December 2024, the British Columbia government approved 9 wind energy products, providing 5 TWh of energy annually, which would be enough to power "500,0000" homes. [14]

Legislation

Climate Change Accountability Act, 2007 (previously known as the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Targets Act, 2007 until 2018)

Climate Change Accountability Act
Legislative Assembly of British Columbia
CitationSBC 2007, c 42
Assented to2007-11-29
Keywords
emissions targets
Status: In force (amended)

In 2007, the British Columbia government set a target to reduce emissions by 16% by 2025, with further targets for 2030, 2040, 2050. [15]

By 2010, emissions in British Columbia had increased by 0.9% from 2007. [16] In 2012, emissions had increased 21.7% compared to 1990 levels and decreased by 6.5% compared to 2007 levels. [17]

Carbon Tax Act, 2008

British Columbia has had a carbon tax since 2008. [18]

BC's revenue neutral carbon tax is the first of its kind in North America. It was introduced at $10/tonne of CO2eq in 2008 and has risen by $5/tonne annual increases until it reached $30/tonne in 2012. In 2021, the carbon tax increased from $40/tonne to $45/tonne, and is scheduled to reach $50/tonne in 2022. [19] It is required in legislation that all revenues from the carbon tax are returned to British Columbians through tax cuts in other areas. [20]

Greenhouse Gas Reduction Targets Amendment Act, 2018

Greenhouse Gas Reduction Targets Amendment Act, 2018
Legislative Assembly of British Columbia
CitationSBC 2018, c 32
Assented to2018-05-31
Keywords
emissions targets
Status: In force (amended)

In 2018, the British Columbia government dropped its commitments to meet the 2030 goal, because the 2020 goal seemed unlikely to be met. [21] [22]

The act maintains commitments to the 2050 goal. [22]

Emissions in British Columbia reached a peak of 65.0 million tonnes, 7% higher than 2007 levels. [23] [24]

Climate Change Accountability Amendment Act, 2019

Climate Change Accountability Amendment Act
Legislative Assembly of British Columbia
CitationSBC 2007, c 42
Assented to2019-11-28
Keywords
emissions targets
Status: In force

In 2019 the government announced plans to put requirement on the plans that would be released under the Act to have interim targets. [25]

In 2023, a court case, alleging that the government had not met the obligations under the amended act, was dismissed on the basis that the legislation did not specify.that the government was required to provide "quantitative data". [26] [27]

The history of British Columbia not meeting its targets led to criticism by the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs for continuing to "prop up" fossil fuels. [24]

Zero-Emission Vehicles Act, 2019

Zero-Emission Vehicles Act, 2019
Legislative Assembly of British Columbia
CitationSBC 2019, c 29
Assented to30-05-2019
Keywords
emissions targets
Status: In force (amended)

In 2019 the government announced that cars, trucks sold by 2040 to be zero emission. [28]

In 2022, provincial sales tax stopped being charged on zero emissions vehicles, which in combination with the Act meant that British Columbia was "at the forefront" in terms of ZEV ownership. [29]

Low Carbon Fuels Act, 2022

Low Carbon Fuels Act, 2022
Legislative Assembly of British Columbia
CitationSBC 2022, c 22
Assented to2022-06-02
Keywords
emissions targets
Status: In force (amended)

British Columbia implemented stricter rules for low-carbon fuels for the aviation sector. [30] Beginning in 2028, 1% of jet fuel would have to be sustainable aviation fuel. [30] The rule applies to jet fuel imported to the province or manufactured in the province, regardless of the destination of the flight. [30]

Zero-Emission Vehicles Amendment Act, 2023

Zero-Emission Vehicles Act, 2019
Legislative Assembly of British Columbia
CitationSBC 2019, c 29
Assented to30-05-2019
Keywords
emissions targets
Status: In force

In 2023, the government moved its 2040 target to 2035. [31]

The Energy Minister Josie Osborne said the proposed amendments would make it easier for consumers to choose electric cars. [32]

The legislation was criticised by the pcar dealership association, who suggested that a more flexible approach would be better. [32]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Climate Action Plan". Climate Action Secretariat. Archived from the original on May 7, 2013. Retrieved April 4, 2013.
  2. ↑ "Greenhouse Gas Reduction Targets Act". BC Laws. Archived from the original on February 16, 2013. Retrieved April 4, 2013.
  3. ↑ "Carbon Neutral BC Public Sector". Province of BC. Archived from the original on March 7, 2016. Retrieved April 4, 2013.
  4. ↑ "Public sector Climate Change Accountability Reports - Province of British Columbia". Archived from the original on November 15, 2018. Retrieved November 15, 2018.
  5. ↑ "Clean Energy Vehicle Incentives". Province of BC. Archived from the original on November 14, 2011. Retrieved April 4, 2013.
  6. ↑ "Making Progress on B.C.'s Climate Action Plan" (PDF). Province of BC. Archived from the original (PDF) on April 12, 2013. Retrieved April 4, 2013.
  7. ↑ "B.C. government drops greenhouse gas target for new 2030 goal | CBC News". Archived from the original on January 15, 2019. Retrieved November 15, 2018.
  8. ↑ "NEB – Provincial and Territorial Energy Profiles – Canada". May 13, 2022. Archived from the original on November 15, 2018. Retrieved November 15, 2018.
  9. ↑ Hennig, Clare (2019-04-03). "Canada's sea levels are rising — and that's got British Columbians in coastal cities concerned". CBC. Archived from the original on 2019-04-07. Retrieved 2025-02-20.
  10. ↑ McElroy, Justin (2021-11-25). "Most dikes across southwest B.C. could fail under stress, report warned in 2015". CBC. Archived from the original on 2021-11-26. Retrieved 2025-02-20.
  11. ↑ Crawford, Tiffany (2025-02-08). "B.C. Climate News: Report warns new housing in B.C. high-risk zones could cost billions in damages | 'It's surreal': Trump's freeze on climate money sows fear and confusion". Vancouver Sun. Archived from the original on 2025-02-15. Retrieved 2025-02-20.
  12. ↑ Timmer, Brian; Neufeld, Christopher; Baum, Julia K.; Starko, Samuel (2024-04-10). "Why some of British Columbia's kelp forests are in more danger than others". The Conversation. Retrieved 2025-02-20.
  13. ↑ "British Columbia is bitten by climate change-fuelled weather extremes". euronews. 2021-11-19. Retrieved 2025-02-20.
  14. ↑ "B.C. announces 9 new wind projects to power equivalent of 500,000 homes". CBC. 2024-12-10. Archived from the original on 2025-02-06. Retrieved 2025-02-20.
  15. ↑ "B.C. still a long way from meeting greenhouse gas targets". vancouversun. Archived from the original on 2022-09-13. Retrieved 2025-02-20.
  16. ↑ "B.C. emitting more greenhouse gases". CBC. 2010-04-22. Archived from the original on 2024-06-12. Retrieved 2024-02-20.
  17. ↑ Stastna, Kazi (2015-04-14). "How Canada's provinces are tackling greenhouse gas emissions". CBC. Archived from the original on 2021-10-18. Retrieved 2024-02-21.
  18. ↑ "B.C. will scrap consumer carbon tax if Ottawa drops requirement". CBC. 2024-09-12. Archived from the original on 2024-09-13. Retrieved 2025-02-21.
  19. ↑ Strategy, Ministry of Environment and Climate Change. "British Columbia's Carbon Tax - Province of British Columbia". www2.gov.bc.ca. Archived from the original on July 9, 2021. Retrieved 2021-07-06.
  20. ↑ "Carbon Tax". Ministry of Finance. Archived from the original on March 29, 2013. Retrieved April 4, 2013.
  21. ↑ "Target 2030 and Beyond: BC Government Unveils Legislation to Update Greenhouse Gas Reduction Targets | McCarthy Tétrault". www.mccarthy.ca. 2018-05-10. Retrieved 2025-02-21.
  22. 1 2 Laanela, Mike (2018-05-08). "B.C. government drops greenhouse gas target for new 2030 goal". CBC. Retrieved 2025-02-20.
  23. ↑ "B.C. wants to cut emissions by 2025 – they've grown instead". vancouversun. Archived from the original on 2024-05-15. Retrieved 2025-02-21.
  24. 1 2 Lindsay, Bethany (2021-10-31). "History of failed climate change goals leaves critics with little faith in B.C.'s latest plan". Archived from the original on 2021-11-01. Retrieved 2025-02-21.
  25. ↑ Meissner, Dirk (2019-10-31). "B.C. climate plan changes hold government accountable, minister says". CBC. Archived from the original on 2022-10-12. Retrieved 2025-02-20.
  26. ↑ Uguen-Csenge, Eva (2023-01-17). "Climate accountability lawsuit against B.C. government dismissed in court". Archived from the original on 2023-01-18.
  27. ↑ "B.C. not legally required to provide 'quantitative data' on meeting GHG targets, court rules". Business in Vancouver. 2023-01-17. Retrieved 2025-02-21.
  28. ↑ "B.C. introduces law to require cars, trucks sold by 2040 be zero emission". vancouversun. Archived from the original on 2021-04-22. Retrieved 2025-02-21.
  29. ↑ Pawson, Chad (2022-02-26). "B.C.'s latest tax incentive for zero-emission vehicles welcomed, despite low inventory". CBC. Archived from the original on 2022-04-12. Retrieved 2024-02-21.
  30. 1 2 3 Temple-West, Patrick (2024-01-05). "BP wins approval to revamp oil refinery for biofuel production". Financial Times. Archived from the original on 2024-01-10. Retrieved 2025-02-21.
  31. ↑ "B.C. brings forward zero-emission target for new vehicle sales by 5 years to 2035". CBC. 2023-04-11. Archived from the original on 2023-04-11. Retrieved 2024-02-21.
  32. 1 2 "B.C. moves up electric vehicle target, with 100-per-cent sales goal by 2035". vancouversun. Archived from the original on 2024-07-14. Retrieved 2025-02-21.
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