WHEREAS the Province-led Biodiversity BC has declared that without immediate action, BCs globally significant biodiversity and the ecological services on which we all depend, are vulnerable to rapid deterioration due to the challenges posed by expanding human settlement and development, especially in light of climate change; AND WHEREAS the 179 local governments to date that have signed-on to the BC Climate Action Charter, recognize both the urgent need to implement effective measures to reduce GHG emissions and anticipate and prepare for climate change impacts, and that protecting the environment can be done in ways that promote economic prosperity, e.g., forest conservation carbon credits: THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that UBCM recommend that the Province of British Columbia develop a science-based nature and climate conservation strategy, that would concurrently accomplish: - allowing more species to survive and adapt to a changing climate; - protecting the natural carbon stores in our primary and intact forests and other ecosystems; - protecting water and other vital ecosystem services that support both human well-being and a conservation-based economy; and - supporting sustainable natural resource management that is based on prioritizing the needs of the ecosystems.
Ministry of Environment While there is no single strategy that addresses the full spectrum of issues raised by this resolution, the B.C. Government is using a wide range of approaches including legislation, policies, procedures and guidance to maintain BCs biodiversity and ecological services in light of human settlement, development, and climate change. Legislation such as the Forest and Range Practices Act, the Oil and Gas Activities Act and the Fish Protection Act include significant provisions to achieve these goals. Additionally, there are a number of more recent initiatives that directly address the intent of this resolution. These initiatives include: Climate Change Adaptation: The majority of the scientific community agrees that the primary strategy for protecting biodiversity in an era of rapid climate change is to focus on connectivity. The Government of British Columbia currently protects about 14 of the land base. About 74 of this protected area is forested contributing to both carbon stores and ongoing carbon sequestration. Many other jurisdictions have some level of protection on both land and water within B.C. including the federal government, regional districts, municipalities and private landowners. Together this represents a sizable portion of the province and is a significant contribution to landscape connectivity and the future of biodiversity and carbon management in British Columbia. Forest Carbon Offset Protocol: The Government of British Columbia has developed this protocol to guide the design, development, quantification and verification of B.C. forest carbon offsets from a broad range of forest activities on private and public land in B.C. Forest carbon is an increasingly significant component of climate action, and the protocol ensures that forest carbon offsets developed in B.C. meet domestic and international quality standards. Water Act Modernization and Water Science Strategy: Ensuring enough water is set aside to protect stream health and healthy ecosystems; improving water security, efficiency, and conservation; and regulating water during times of scarcity are key elements of the Provinces proposed new Water Sustainability Act. In addition, Government is leading development of a Water Science Strategy to better link science-based information and knowledge with decision-making, policy development and operational practice. Conservation Framework Species at Risk Task Force: The Conservation Framework is British Columbias approach for maintaining the rich biodiversity of the province. The Framework provides a set of science-based tools and actions for conserving species and ecosystems in B.C. The report of the Species at Risk Task Force was released on July 4th, 2011. The report makes 16 recommendations addressing legislation, environmental management, First Nations engagement and public engagement. See response to Resolution B41 for more detail. Environmental Mitigation Policy: The BC Ministry of Environment, along with the Environmental Assessment Office and other natural resource management agencies, is developing a new environmental policy to support a consistent approach to mitigating adverse impacts on valued environmental assets from development projects and activities. This policy and associated procedures will help guide staff and provide consistent advice and information about environmental mitigation to statutory decision-makers who make authorization decisions in the provincial government. This policy is currently being drafted based on research on similar policies and analysis of feedback on the initial concept from stakeholders and First Nations. Following another opportunity to review and comment on the draft, the Environmental Mitigation Policy will be revised, and then applied on a trial basis in 2013. To be effective, environmental mitigation actions, including ecological restoration, need to consider climate change. The approaches highlighted here engage the full range of government agencies charged with the management of BCs natural resources and are believed to be a more effective approach than a single Ministry strategy.