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BC sets sectoral emissions reductions targets

Government has set new 2030 emissions reductions targets for four broad sectors
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Natural gas flaring at drilling rig in Northeastern BC. Oil and gas sector expected to reduce emissions by 33% to 38% by 2030. | Alaska Highway News

The BC government has set new greenhouse gas emissions reductions targets for four broad sectors of the economy: transportation, oil and gas, industry and buildings and communities.

The BC government has ambitious emission reductions targets that calls for a 40% reduction in the province’s GHG emissions by 2030 (with 2007 as the benchmark), 60% by 2040 and 80% by 2050.

When those targets were originally set, the government did not specify where exactly it expects the reductions to come from. The B.C. government today released sectoral targets that sets those expectations.

The goal is to achieve the following reductions, below 2007 levels, by 2030:

  •  transportation – 27% to 32%;
  •  industry – 38% to 43%;
  • oil and gas – 33% to 38%; and
  • buildings and communities – 59% to 64%

The government also announced funding to help those sectors achieve those reductions.

"People in British Columbia want steady progress on climate change coupled with good jobs and strong communities, supported by businesses that are reducing pollution and thriving in the global clean economy," George Heyman, minister of Environment and Climate Change Strategy, said in a press release.

“To achieve this, we are setting sectoral emission targets that will keep government accountable as we work with each sector of the economy to reduce emissions while remaining globally competitive."

Businesses and public bodies can apply to the CleanBC Industry Fund to help fund projects, like fuel switching, that reduces their emissions profile The province is providing $33 million to 19 CleanBC Industry Fund projects.

The CleanBC Industry Fund is itself funded with carbon tax revenue.

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@nbennett_biv