VANCOUVER — JESSICA McILROY, manager of the Pembina Institute’s buildings program, made the following statement in response to the release of B.C.’s 2024 Climate Change Accountability Report:
“B.C.’s latest Climate Change Accountability Report shows that some policy decisions and investments have helped reduce emissions in most sectors, while also advancing our ability to adapt to climate impacts and be more resilient to intensifying extreme weather. But there’s lots to do to bend our emissions trajectory downward in line with our targets.
“Several CleanBC policy decisions resulted in success in the year studied: There was a 60% increase in heat pumps installed in B.C., resulting in more efficient heating and cooling – and lower emissions – for approximately 250,000 households. The Low Carbon Fuel Standard resulted in a 35% increase in renewable fuel content. And more than 22,000 rebates were provided for light-duty zero-emission vehicles. Looking ahead, B.C. should prioritize policy decisions to address the emissions from heavy-duty vehicles, focusing on fleet opportunities, easier-to-electrify sectors (like school buses), and investing in charging infrastructure.
“B.C.'s progress on reducing oil and gas methane emissions – despite an increase in gas production – is an example of how strong regulation can lead to effective emissions reductions. We commend the province on the design of these regulations and urge government to maintain its leadership on methane through continuous improvement of measurement and abatement requirements toward achieving near-zero methane emissions.
“On the other hand, looking at gas more broadly, if all proposed liquefied natural gas (LNG) projects move ahead and are not electrified, they will add more than four megatonnes to B.C.'s emissions in 2030, making it even more challenging to hit our targets. As LNG emissions increase, deeper reductions will be required in the rest of the economy to offset them.
“Our provincial industrial carbon pricing system (or output-based pricing system) should be strengthened, to ensure big polluters pay for their share of emissions. Industrial emission pricing is effective from both emissions reduction and cost perspectives, but it needs to be gradually and predictably strengthened to give companies the certainty they need to invest in decarbonization, ensure the stability of the carbon credit market, and ensure emissions reductions actually happen.
“The upcoming review of CleanBC is an important opportunity to recalibrate the role of the provincial government, in partnership with other levels of government and the private sector, to ensure we can meet emission reduction and resiliency targets at this very difficult geopolitical time. Investment in clean energy expansion, EV infrastructure and building retrofits can all help strengthen the B.C. economy, make our industries more competitive, and create in-community jobs, while decreasing our emissions and the cost of living.”
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Contact
Brendan Glauser
Senior Director, Communications, Pembina Institute
604-356-8829
Background on B.C.’s latest Climate Change Accountability Report
- Transportation sector emissions in 2022 were up 18% from 2007 and account for the largest share (42%) of B.C.’s GHG emissions.
- The industrial sector, encompassing oil and gas and other industries, accounted for 39% of B.C.’s total emissions in 2022 (25.9 MtCO2e), down 11% from 2007. This was due in part to a 42% decrease in fugitive methane emissions from oil and gas.
- Emissions in the buildings and communities sector, which accounted for 19% (12.4 MtCO2e) of total emissions, were 6% lower than in 2007.
Background readings
Media release: B.C. budget signals uncertain path forward on economic resilience and climate, clean energy leadership
Report: A Clean, Resilient Future: Recommendations for advancing British Columbia's net-zero energy economy
