Whereas the detrimental effects of climate change are more and more evident in BC, Canada and the rest of the world; And whereas the world is currently on track for a more than 3 warming based on policies currently in place, and those policies will need to be strengthened significantly to limit warming to 1.5, based on recommendations of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change: : And whereas both the provincial and federal governments have been advancing climate emergency response through Clean BC and the Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change respectively: Therefore be it resolved that the local, regional, provincial and federal governments be urged to both recognize the climate change emergency and accelerate their efforts to fight climate change at levels that match the urgency of the issue; And be it further resolved that the provincial government establish a remaining carbon budget for all public and private sector emissions commensurate with limiting warming to 1.5C and report annually on the expenditure of the Provinces remaining carbon budget; And be it further resolved that the provincial government form a Climate and Equity working group to provide guidance and support a transition off of fossil fuels in ways that prioritize those most vulnerable to climate impacts and most in need of support in transitioning to renewable energy.
Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy The Government of BC is committed to addressing the causes and potential impacts of climate change. Government also recognizes the effort local governments are making to prepare for the impacts of climate change and is aware that close to thirty local governments in BC have declared climate emergency declarations. At this time, the Province is not considering declaring a climate emergency. In December 2018, the Province released CleanBC, BCs pathway to prosper economically and to meet our climate challenges, including carbon pollution reduction targets and the need to manage climate-related risks. CleanBC is only the beginning of the Provinces efforts. The Climate Action Secretariat CAS sits on the UBCM Special Committee on Climate Action that is comprised of elected officials and senior staff for local government along with other representatives from the province, non-governmental organizations, crown corporations and academia. The Climate Action Secretariat has released a province-wide climate risk assessment that will help form the basis of BCs plan for a resilient province. Over the coming year, CAS will be engaging UBCM and local governments and others across BC to help communities identify and respond to potential climate risks. As part of this effort, CAS has completed a citizen engagement process to seek the views of British Columbians on the best ways to prepare for and adapt to risks associated with climate change. Information and ideas from local governments, along with the results of engagement with Indigenous peoples and others, will inform the development of a provincial Climate Preparedness and Adaptation Discussion Paper April and Climate Preparedness and Adaptation Strategy December. As a part of CleanBC, the Province is developing a CleanBC Jobs Readiness Plan to address the labour and workplace opportunities that will emerge through the implementation of CleanBC. The plan will identify future occupational and skills profiles relevant to the transition to a low carbon economy, including where jobs may be located, and opportunities for mid-career workers to develop new skills. The plan will incorporate public input, labour market conditions and economic trends, address the participation of women and under-represented communities in these roles, and respond to issues that could affect peoples opportunities to participate. The Province expects to release this plan early 2020 following engagement with stakeholders. Additionally, in November 2019, the Province passed amendments to the Climate Change Accountability Act to provide better accountability, transparency and more detailed targets for climate action. These amendments include the following: - Strengthen the requirements for the Minister of Environment and Climate Change Strategy Minister and government to report publicly on the Provinces climate action progress. This includes new reporting requirements on actions, their cost and how they will achieve governments legislated emission-reduction targets and manage climate risks. - In 2020, and every fifth year, reporting will include a determination of climate change risks, which will build on BCs Preliminary Strategic Risk Assessment and work done in the interim to assess risks from climate change. - Require the Minister to set sectoral and interim targets following engagement with stakeholders. Interim emissions targets will be established by ministerial order by no later than Dec. 31, 2020. Sectoral targets will be established no later than March 31, 2021. - Give the Minister the regulatory authority to set targets and requirements for provincial public sector buildings, fleets and fuels. - Add more comprehensive requirements for the public sector to manage climate risks. - Appoint an independent advisory committee that will be modelled on the Climate Solutions and Clean Growth Advisory Council, now that the council has fulfilled its mandate.