British Columbia - Leader or Laggard: Is this province really ahead of the pack on climate change?
Action on climate change faces myriad challenges, particularly under current economic conditions. Success demands aggressive target setting, accompanied by appropriate tools and approaches. The province of British Columbia is considered by many to be a leader in taking action on climate change. Indeed, in its own words, the provincial government is making climate change a “top priority.” With the only carbon tax in Canada, a designated Climate Action Secretariat, and the Pacific Carbon Trust (a Crown Corporation mandated to deliver B.C.-based greenhouse gas offsets), B.C. unquestionably stands out among Canadian provinces.
By and large, when one thinks of environmental and climate leadership, the temptation is to immediately consider the European Union as frontrunner. The E.U. took the international lead on climate change and has historically had the most progressive and aggressive policies toward greenhouse gas (GHG) regulation. When it comes to the renewable energy sector, there can be no question that Europeans are the global leaders. The E.U. also boasts the world’s largest carbon trading program, known as the Emissions Trading Scheme.
2009 is a decisive year in the international effort to address climate change, culminating with a new road map to be drawn up at the U.N. Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen in December. The current global economic situation, however, has placed the entire embryonic carbon system in flux. Even the much-vaunted Clean Development Mechanism is under threat because of low tonnage prices and falling emissions due to diminished markets.
Per capita, Canadians are the second highest emitters of greenhouse gases in the world. People often respond to this by suggesting that Canada is a large, northern country, with a population that is separated by vast distances. While geophysically accurate, in truth it is a pitiable excuse for a dismal national record on climate change. Canada signed the Kyoto Accord in 1997, and ratified this agreement in 2004. According to the conditions of this international agreement, Canada’s GHGs should have dropped by 7% below 1990 emissions. Currently, they rest about 30% above that target. As a nation, we clearly have a long way to go.
How does B.C. fit into this national framework? In a move to provide a price signal against unsustainable choices, a carbon tax was introduced in July 2008 that affects fossil fuels used to produce energy or heat. As a provincial Crown corporation set up by the B.C. Government, the Pacific Carbon Trust will allow the government to acquire credible, provincially located GHG offsets on its behalf. Under the Greenhouse Gas Reductions Targets Act, B.C.’s GHG emissions are to be reduced by at least 33% below 2007 levels by 2020. A further emission-reduction target of 80% below 2007 levels is required for 2050.
The Act that is perhaps most eagerly anticipated is that which will bring about a market-based cap-and-trade system to be developed through the Western Climate Initiative. It is worthy of note that the province has adopted a carbon tax in addition to this cap-and-trade system. The latter scheme can often be politically preferable for existing industries because the allocation of allowances can include a provision that grandfathers in rights based on historical emissions.
There are some key uncertainties that threaten to further delay governments taking action on climate change. There has been much speculation following the U.S. election with the Obama administration outlining its plans to reduce U.S. emissions. Economic mechanisms in the form of Cap and Trade, among others, are expected to be a big part of the new American plan. In order to be effective in a broader scheme on climate change it therefore behooves us to also take parallel, bold economic steps.
B.C. will be having its own election in a few weeks, with some opposition parties’ pooh-poohing the carbon tax. This is counter-productive and, seemingly, politically convenient rhetoric. Ultimately, some programs won’t work but we are going to have to throw a lot of proverbial pasta against the wall before something sticks – and the Provincial Government should be given the latitude it needs and indeed the kudos for doing so. This is B.C.’s opportunity to demonstrate strong leadership on climate change, and we must stick with it.
When compared with the lethargy exhibited by Canada’s national government, B.C. is taking a rational and courageous approach to climate change. However, the next few months are critical in establishing the necessary regulations to make real change happen. If true leadership is proven through action, then we must pay close attention to our government’s conduct in the months to come.
This is, of course, just an opinion - what are your thoughts on the matter?
Christopher completed an MSc in Environment and International Development last year, focusing his research on the impact of reduced GHG emissions on the business community. Christopher has over a decade of experience as an environmental project manager and consultant with various national and international sustainability-focused organizations and began working with Offsetters in December 2008 as an Associate Consultant.
Comments
In response to Lesli's
In response to Lesli's remarks concerning the BC Greens, I would challenge her and anyone that discredits the party to go to the website: www.bcgreens.ca . You will not find "anybody but those other guys" remarked anywhere, nor will the candidates (of which I am one) adhere this kind of negative campaigning. Don't take it from me and please don't take it from NDP apologists who refuse to admit that their platform would bring BC behind on climate change. The simple fact remains that, in BC, the largest portion of our GHG emissions come from the Transportation sector (39%) which includes individual drivers, truck fleets, etc. Gateway infrastructure and subsidies to the oil and gas industry must be reversed as they would only increase our emissions in this sector. Gas flaring should be completely prohibited with significant penalties for non-compliance and, yes, we need cap and trade for large industrial emitters, AND we need a carbon tax to cover the largest emitting source of all: transportation. It is not an either or predicament. Wanting to "axe the carbon tax" is one of the most irresponsible and populist policy frames I have ever witnessed from the BC NDP. Truly unfortunate and am hearing this in my riding constantly.
That being said, the Liberals are far from "green" on many levels. So, while I agree that the Liberals are moving in the right direction on Climate Change, they must come clean in reversing their promotion of the fossil fuel industry (which includes the possibility of oil and natural gas tankers) with a reversal of $1 billion subsidies to the sector as well as building more highway infrastructure with the expansion of the Gateway ($3.3 billion). Unfortunately, Carole James has reversed her party's previous opposition to the Port Mann Bridge as well. From the Georgia Straight Feb 26, 2009:
"In a phone interview, the Straight asked James if she was in favour of B.C. transportation minister Kevin Falcon's recent announcement that the bridge will be replaced by a “super-sized”, $3.3-billion tolled 10-lane structure that will be financed through a public-private partnership.
“Yes,” James confirmed from Victoria. “You have to have a bridge. You have to have a crossing across there. It's very clear that the traffic is high enough that you need to have a bridge there.”
There are strong arguments that we are clearly committed to reversing Climate Change with solid policies in our Green Book in the "Combatting Climate Change" section available for download on our site (pages 46-47). I welcome you all to read it and engage with your candidates on all these issues before making a truly informed choice. I also strongly advocate for better representation and a stronger democracy (as does our platform) in encouraging voting in favour of STV as well.
Many thanks for your support on May 12th for those wishing to "change everything" and give us Greens a chance,
J-M Toriel
Candidate for the BC Greens
Vancouver-Langara
"Ignoring climate change will be the most costly of all possible choices, for us and our children."
Peter Ewins, British Meteorological Office
I support the carbon tax.
I support the carbon tax. But should that progressive position absolve the BC Liberals from being accountable for supporting Gateway? I think not, and that's all I'm saying. As for my description of the Greens, it was intended to be metaphorical, not literal...
Is this an ad for the BC
Is this an ad for the BC Liberal Party? The last three paragraphs could easily have been written by a BC Liberal ad executive.
How about some balance? On the subject of the environment, why no mention of how fish farms are destroying wild salmon stocks? Why no mention of how large, privately run hydro projects are adversely affecting our rivers?
How about some articles that support the NDP or Greens or the BC Conservative Party? Or maybe, how about no ads at all.
BC Libs aren't a green
BC Libs aren't a green "second coming". I don't disagree with you on Canada's geography being a pitiable excuse for not adopting aggressive carbon reduction measures in our country, and I agree that the carbon tax the B.C. government has adopted is a step in the right direction. However, to suggest that B.C. is a leader in the fight against climate change is a significant overstatement.
The B.C. Liberal Party has been the driving force in the twinning of the Port Mann Bridge, which will have dramatic and far reaching impacts not only on the regional transportation network (let's see how many more cars we can fit into our tiny little peninsula, why don't we?), and will encourage ongoing increased use of single occupant vehicles for commuting, instead of much more sustainable options, including light rail options. Don't even get me started on their oil and gas policy in the northeast corner of our province. As James Kunstler has aptly noted in his book, the Long Emergency, we're past peak oil and in 30 years, the Port Mann will be a monument to our worship of the single occupant motor vehicle and our lack of vision and stupidity.
The mainstream political parties have created a dilemma for many progressive voters, leaving us with "lesser of two evils" deliberations versus clear choices,with the Green Party providing a weak "anybody but those other guys" offer to voters. I'd recommend that the engaged voter find out what positions your candidates in your individual constituencies are taking on climate change and make an informed choice. And vote for STV to power up your vote.