British Columbia introduced the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Targets Act, the most aggressive climate change legislation in North America.
The act puts into law British Columbia’s target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) by at least 33% below 2007 levels by 2020. It also requires that realistic, economically viable interim targets for 2012 and 2016 be set by the end of 2008, and further establishes an emission reduction target of 80 per cent below 2007 levels by 2050. The government will also be required to publish a report every two years outlining the progress made towards reaching the emissions reduction targets.
The act requires the provincial government, including provincial ministries and agencies, schools, colleges, universities, health authorities and Crown corporations, to become carbon neutral by 2010 and to make public a report every year detailing actions taken towards carbon neutrality.
“We are the first government in North America to require all public sector organizations to publicly report on their emissions levels, on the actions they have taken to reduce these levels, and their plans for continuing to minimize emissions,” said Environment Minister Barry Penner, who introduced the legislation. “Our government will lead by example, first by reducing our emissions as much as possible and then offsetting the remainder.”
The carbon neutral requirements will apply starting in 2008, with respect to greenhouse gas emissions produced by government business travel by the Legislative Assembly and by provincial government ministries and agencies. Travel emissions in the last three months of 2007 will also be included, as announced by the Premier at the UBCM convention.
In 2010, the requirements will be expanded to apply to all emissions from government operations, as well as the operations of schools, colleges, universities, health authorities, Crown corporations and other public sector organizations.
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