WHEREAS the Province of British Columbia has enacted the Climate Action Charter and is committed to drastically reduce the Green House Gas GHG emissions and thrive for carbon neutrality; AND WHEREAS individual British Columbians are responsible for 30 of GHG emissions in British Columbia and gas powered lawn mowers have been identified as a significant contributor of GHG emissions and other pollutants: THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the government of British Columbia provide financial assistance for a rebate program that would serve as an incentive to trade in old gas powered lawn mowers for non-motorized push reel lawn mowers, electric or battery driven mowers.
Ministry of Environment The federal government regulates the emission standards for spark-ignition engines, such as used for many lawn mowers, chippers, chainsaws and other applications where reducing weight is a primary objective. These types of gas engines are relatively high polluting compared to four stroke engines and, of course, zero emission alternatives. Although older gas powered mowers are much less fuel efficient than newer mowers, their relative contribution to provincial GHG emissions is small. The Ministry of Environment is not contemplating a provincial rebate program at this time. However, since the primary emissions of concern from these older mowers are local air quality pollutants, the ministry may explore, in consultation with stakeholders, future actions to reduce environmental impacts of these types of engines.