C02 strategy under discussion
Environment Minister Mary Polak has issued an invitation to British Columbians to have their say about how the province should achieve its CO2 reduction targets over the next five to 40 years.
“B.C.’s new Climate Leadership Plan will influence how British Columbians will work, travel and live for decades to come,” the minister said in a July 17 statement. “That’s why it’s important we hear from you now, before government makes decisions on next steps.”
People who want to inform themselves and comment on B.C.’s Greenhouse Gas emission strategy have until Aug. 17, during the first phase of a consultation process that is expected to result in a final strategy for the province by March, 2016.
The Ministry of the Environment has posted a 32 page discussion paper online and is inviting people to comment on four ‘objectives and approaches’ in the plan, focused on the way we live, travel, work and what we value.
“Building on our global climate leadership, B.C. is developing a new climate leadership plan to move our climate agenda forward,” said Jordan Sturdy, deputy chair of the Climate Leadership Team, and parliamentary secretary to the minister of transportation and infrastructure.
Says the Ministry of Environment release, “British Columbia is in the process of developing a new Climate Leadership Plan to ensure the province remains a climate leader.”
B.C. has levied a ‘revenue neutral’ carbon tax since 2008. Initially the tax was $5 per tonne of CO2, increasing in $5 increments until it reached $30 per tonne in 2012, a price the government has committed to until at least 2018.
The plan commits B.C. to reduce its GHG emissions by 33 percent from 2007 levels by 2020; 80 percent by 2050. “As we refresh and revitalize B.C.’s climate plan, our focus remains firmly on our commitment to reach our legislated emissions reduction targets for 2020 and 2050,” Sturdy said.
You can download or read the climate discussion paper and take an online survey at engage.gov.bc.ca/climateleadership. A second public consultation will take place after a draft plan, incorporating responses to the discussion paper, is released in the fall, with completion of the Climate Leadership Plan anticipated in the spring of 2016.