B.C. trails other major provinces on climate action, according to Pembina Institute

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      British Columbia boasts of being a leader in the fight against climate change.

      Last year, Premier Christy Clark even challenged other jurisdictions in the world to either match or exceed the standard set by the province in climate action.

      However, an information graphic by the Pembina Institute tells a different story.

      Far from being a leader, the visual shows that B.C. is lagging behind other major provinces in actions and commitment to new measures to address climate change.

      Compared to Alberta, Ontario, and Quebec, B.C. is expected to see its carbon emissions rise by 39 percent by 2030 above the 2014 level.

      In contrast, Alberta, Ontario and Quebec are anticipated to register decreases in their emissions by 26 per cent, 22 per cent, and 23 per cent, respectively, over the same period.

      The infographic was based on a forecast made by the Canadian team involved in the Deep Decarbonization Pathways Project of the United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network, and Institute for Sustainable Development and International Relations.

      B.C.’s carbon emissions totaled 63 million tonnes in 2014. It has legislated target of 44 million tonnes in 2020.

      According to a media release Tuesday (June 14) by the Pembina Institute, the province will miss its mark.

      This month, B.C. is expected to unveil its Climate Leadership Plan, building on the groundwork set by its climate action plan in 2008.

      The Pembina Institute urged Clark to adopt the 32 recommendations by the Climate Leadership Team it struck to provide advice and suggestions for the new plan.

      These recommendations include increasing the carbon tax by $10 a year starting in July 2018.

      The carbon tax is frozen at $30 per tonne until 2018.

      Matt Horne, who is Pembina Institute’s associate director in B.C., was a member of the Climate Leadership Team that submitted a report to the province in October 2015.

      According to Horne, the province built a “solid foundation” with its 2008 plan to combat climate change.

      “But when it came time to construct the proverbial house,” Horne said in the Pembina Institute’s media release, “Premier Clark balked at taking the next steps. It’s time to quit stalling and finish the job.”

       

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