“The science is clear. It leaves no room for procrastination. Global warming is real.”

- Speech from the Throne, British Columbia, February 13, 2007.

An Historic Announcement

On February 13, 2007, the BC government made an historic announcement. In its throne speech, the government pledged to reduce BC’s greenhouse gas emissions 33 percent by 2020—the highest standard anywhere in North America.

The unexpected move followed a campaign by Sierra Club BC and other groups. We had urged the provincial government to legislate targets for greenhouse gas emission reductions that were better than, or equal to, California’s targets. (California has committed to reducing emissions 25 percent by 2020.)

In November 2007, the BC government introduced legislation for carbon emissions targets, setting into law reductions of 33 per cent by 2020 and at least 80 per cent by 2050.

Sierra Club BC welcomes the provincial government’s new commitment to tackling global warming. At the same time, we are concerned that BC’s ability to meet important emissions reduction targets could be compromised by other provincial policies. Threats to Reducing Our Carbon Emissions.

BC's Energy Plan

Two weeks after the 2007 throne speech, the B.C. government released its new Energy Plan.

Some of the plan’s positive highlights include:

• A policy that any coal-fired power plants  must sequester 100 per cent of their greenhouse gas emissions. This decision effectively cancelled the coal-fired power plants proposed for Princeton and Tumbler Ridge, since carbon sequestration technology is still under development.
• A new $25 million Innovative Clean Energy Fund to support development of clean energy and energy-efficient technologies.
• Increased emphasis on energy conservation in homes, businesses and industry.
• Ninety per cent of B.C.’s energy generation to continue to come from clean or renewable sources.
• B.C. will be self-sufficient in energy by 2016.

Sierra Club Concerns

The Energy Plan also contains 20 policy actions aimed at increasing oil and gas development in B.C. – a sector responsible for almost one-fifth of BC’s total emissions.

Sierra Club BC is concerned that gains made in energy conservation might be wiped out by increased greenhouse gas emissions from the oil and gas sector. Homes and businesses only account for 11 per cent of B.C.’s carbon emissions, while the fossil fuel sector accounts for 18 per cent.