Launch of report, “A Clean, Resilient Future,” ahead of B.C. election

VANCOUVER — Ahead of the upcoming provincial election in British Columbia, the Pembina Institute today launched a report—A Clean, Resilient Future: Recommendations for Advancing British Columbia’s Net-Zero Energy Economy—outlining a roadmap for the province to build prosperity in a clean economy. The report builds on a briefing note with platform recommendations that was shared with all of B.C.’s main political parties in early summer.

“With a coherent energy plan that recognizes that climate policy is economic policy, B.C.’s next government will be able to fulfill the rich promise of the low-carbon future,” said Chris Severson-Baker, executive director of the Pembina Institute. “This report outlines tangible ways that B.C. can reduce emissions in all major sectors of its economy while creating a highly favourable investment environment that will produce sustainable prosperity over the coming decades.”

A key theme of the report is the considerable advantage that British Columbia enjoys in the clean economy because of its ample resources of hydro and other renewable sources of energy. Additionally, over the last four years, B.C. has made progress on measures that will reduce carbon emissions, scale up the deployment of low-carbon energy, increase the resilience of communities in the face of extreme weather, and create a solid foundation for the net-zero economy of the future.

Yet the report’s authors, Jessica McIlroy and Betsy Agar, argue that despite showing climate leadership in recent years, the province cannot afford to become complacent.

“B.C. is not competing against its fellow provinces for climate change accolades,” said Jessica McIlroy, buildings program manager, “it is competing in a global marketplace for a share of the investment in a net-zero economy.”

Recommendations

The report makes recommendations in eight major policy areas that will be key in the next government’s ability to ensure a climate safe and prosperous future for B.C:

Create an energy plan aligned with B.C.’s climate plan
Support zero-emissions transportation
Promote climate-resilient buildings
Address embodied carbon (in concrete, for example)
Grow clean electricity supply
Reduce oil and gas emissions
Support clean energy in remote and Indigenous communities
Prepare industry and workers for a clean economy

Quick facts

B.C. was responsible for 9% of Canada's national emissions in 2022.
Extreme weather is costing B.C.'s economy an estimated $10.6 billion to $17.1 billion annually.
83% of British Columbians say it is important that the province has an energy strategy to meet future energy needs as the world transitions away from fossil fuels and toward net-zero energy resources.

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Chris Severson-Baker and Jessica McIlroy are available for media interviews upon request.

View and download a copy of the new report from the Pembina Institute, A Clean, Resilient Future: Recommendations for Advancing British Columbia’s Net-Zero Energy Economy.