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Climate Change

Climate Change. The British Columbia Plan. Overview. Introduction: International and National Setting British Columbia Policy Framework Elements of the Climate Change Action Plan The Way Forward and Summary. Climate Change Issues. Global, long term problem—issue must be managed

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Climate Change

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  1. Climate Change The British Columbia Plan

  2. Overview • Introduction: International and National Setting • British Columbia Policy Framework • Elements of the Climate Change Action Plan • The Way Forward and Summary

  3. Climate Change Issues • Global, long term problem—issue must be managed • Strong, well-financed action by US jurisdictions • Significant initiatives by federal and BC local governments • BC business community asks for provincial response • Public expectations for environmental quality/action high • Links made between extreme weather/events and climate change • Provincial role constrained—budget; de-regulation • Must tightly link economic development and climate change plans • Economic opportunities can be tapped

  4. United States Response • US will not ratify Kyoto, but Bush committed to reducing U.S. GHG intensity by 18% by 2012 • 25 States (including Washington, Oregon, California and Montana) have completed climate change plans

  5. Canadian Response • 2002Climate Change Plan proposes emission reductions through regulatory measures, information and financial incentives • 2003 budget allocated $1.7 billion over five years • $160 million specifically allocated for provincial initiatives • $1.1 billion allocated on sector basis • Bilaterals to be negotiated with each Province to collaborate on projects or initiatives

  6. Provincial Responses • Provinces see climate change as a serious global issue requiring immediate and continuing action • Alberta 2002 action plan commits to reducing GHG emissions intensity by 50% below 1990 levels by 2020 • Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Quebec, and Nova Scotia have plans

  7. BC Economic Context • Economic revitalization is fundamental priority of BC Climate Change Plan • Need to combine economic and environmental planning—avoid false trade-offs • BC Plan must integrate with all Provincial competitiveness and policy strategies

  8. Challenges and Opportunities • BC has already taken substantive actions, e.g. Power Smart, Energy Plan and fuel cells • Growth in population and related infrastructure needs pose challenges to BC • Significant economic opportunities arise: • Industrial energy saving and strategic positioning for markets • Financial savings and industry growth in buildings sector • Technology strengths in fuel cells and enviro-tech sectors

  9. BC GHG Emissions Profile, 2001(sector allocation of 65 million tonnes GHG emissions)

  10. Provincial GHG Comparison

  11. Large Industrial Emitters • Federal Government has set 55 MT reduction target for Large Industrial Emitters • The Province will: • Provide support to BC industrial sectors in their negotiations with the federal government • Not put BC industry into double jeopardy by setting provincial GHG regulatory requirements

  12. Climate Change Objectives • Take responsible action to address long term environmental and economic risks • Contribute to BC’s economic turn-around, create business certainty for investment and build on competitive advantages • Engage the federal government, and get a fair deal

  13. Plan Development Criteria • No net new spending • Budget neutrality over long term • Improved regulations • Catch up with neighbouring provinces and states • Actions aimed at long term benefits • Actions coordinated across sectors • Joint undertakings with other jurisdictions when beneficial to BC • Plan applies Province’s draft Sustainability Principles

  14. Targets • Complications in setting target for BC as a whole: • Economic output must be forecast • Interaction with uncertain federal measures & future commitments • Technological breakthroughs and deployment unknown • Target proposal uses multiple approach: • BC will work to retain or improve upon current per capita emissions ranking-3rd best in Canada (Progress Board’s target) • Sectoral targets will be set where benefits maximized (agriculture, buildings, government operations)

  15. Costs • Plan proposes no new government expenditures • Implement plan by reallocating existing ministry budgets according to priorities • Climate Change Plan will: • Help reduce costs in certain sectors, e.g. buildings • Increase long term business competitiveness, e.g. reduce risks • Minimize impacts of federal regulation, e.g backstop/covenant system • Maximize opportunities associated with federal and other provincial/state actions, e.g. Alberta’s clean hydrocarbon research • Increase capacity to respond to weather-related events, e.g. drought

  16. Forestry, Agriculture & Carbon Sinks Actions • Continue to assert ownership of BC’s forest and agricultural sinks • Continue to manage forests in sustainable manner • Develop policy for managing incremental forestry sinks • Identify opportunities for further fuel switching • Continue research on BC’s forest carbon sink • Support BC Agriculture Council implementation of beneficial management practices • Work towards reduction of GHG farm emissions by 8% by 2008

  17. Energy Actions • Achieve goal of 50 percent clean new power by 2010 • Energy Plan to encourage energy conservation and efficiency through rate redesign • Work with partners to maintain BC leadership in hydrogen and fuel cell technology • Develop strategies to encourage conservation, efficiency and alternative energy • MEM working on technology roadmaps to enhance BC’s competitive advantage in clean hydrocarbons, hydrogen and fuel cells, biomass, methanol and ethanol

  18. Industry & Small Business Actions • Support BC large industrial sectors in negotiations with the federal government • Establish an industry-government table to identify opportunities to lower carbon emissions • Push for broader application of relevant federal income tax incentives • Work with small and medium businesses to develop venues for exchange of best practices • Develop guideline documents to assist small businesses to become more eco-efficient

  19. Transportation Actions • Incorporate climate change issues into the provincial Transportation Plan • Implement provincial transportation demand management initiative • Invest in border crossing and other lower mainland transportation infrastructure • Consider further incentives for alternative fuels and fuel efficient vehicles • Driver information outreach to stakeholders and public • Support development of new transportation technologies and fuels

  20. Community and Buildings Actions • Support adapting US Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEEDTM) rating system to BC • Review energy performance requirements for buildings and update energy efficiency standards for equipment • Work with local governments to encourage improved development and building practices • Option for expanding scope of provincial infrastructure planning grants • Find alternatives to diesel power in BC’s remote communities • Economic analysis of policies to promote more efficient buildings and communities • Partner in zero energy residential development demonstration

  21. Provincial Leadership Actions • Conduct energy audits and retrofits, and establish performance targets for new public buildings and P3s • Develop guidelines and ministry targets to encourage cleaner fleet vehicles and fuels • Review policy options to increase transportation choices for employees • Integrate climate change into Ministry and agency Service Plans • Outreach strategies supporting actions in this Plan

  22. Data Collection, Climate Impacts & Adaptation to Weather Changes • Include adaptation planning in government risk management activities and Service Plans • Monitor and report to public on climate change and its impacts • Develop regional climate modeling and other adaptation tools with stakeholders • Build provincial understanding and research capacity on impacts and adaptation • Develop BC capability in adaptation

  23. Way Forward • Meet with key stakeholders during summer/fall • Develop performance measures and approach for monitoring effectiveness and impacts of actions • Seek approval for release to public in early fall • Negotiate with Canada for federal dollars for Provincial projects and initiatives • Collaborate with Alberta and western states on projects or issues of mutual interest and benefit • Consult with business and consumer groups on potential additional actions

  24. Summary – Policy Development • Policy to do: • Incremental forest and agricultural sinks • Hydrogen and fuel cells • Energy conservation/efficiency/alternatives • Technology roadmaps for alternative energy • Incentives for alternative energy • Urban transportation choices • Improved urban development and buildings • Performance targets for public buildings • Provincial staff transportation choices

  25. Summary - Legislative • Legislative to do: • No new legislation • Regulatory to do: • Potential small incentive changes for alternative fuels and efficient vehicles • Energy performance standard for buildings to replace prescriptive regulations • Update energy efficiency standards for appliances/equipment

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