\u201cB.C.\u2019s new Climate Change Accountability Report shows both real progress being made and rightly acknowledges there is more work to do. In particular, emissions in the province declined in 2023 by 4% compared to 2022, with per capita emissions falling even further.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIndeed, we now have a long enough historical view to see the efficacy of meaningful climate policy. Per capita climate pollution has been declining in the province for years, but especially since the 2008 introduction of B.C.\u2019s carbon tax (the consumer portion of which was recently eliminated) and since the 2018 implementation of CleanBC, the province\u2019s comprehensive climate plan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThis data comes at a critical moment for the province as it reviews potential changes to CleanBC. Importantly, it shows that CleanBC is working and that emissions have decoupled both from population and economic growth. As B.C.\u2019s population and economy have grown, emissions have largely flatlined or, in the case of 2023, declined. Thus it is paramount that any rethinking of CleanBC represents a renewal, not a reversal, especially in the absence of the consumer carbon tax. You shouldn\u2019t break what is proven to be working.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cBut this year\u2019s accountability report also shows where there is still work to be done. Transportation represents the biggest source of carbon pollution in the province at 41% of all emissions. Transportation emissions have also seen an increase over the past few decades nationwide, partly due to the adoption of larger vehicles. Encouragingly, that curve is finally bending downward in B.C. Light-duty vehicle emissions are now down 5% relative to 2007 despite population and vehicle growth. The report credits biofuel adoption, improved vehicle efficiency, and the adoption of electric vehicles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cBut it is the latter solution, the adoption of EVs, that will be critical to continuing that downward trajectory all the way to zero, as blending biofuels and improving gas car efficiency can only ever reduce a fraction of vehicle emissions. Electrification can decarbonize tailpipe emissions entirely, as we plug into a power grid that is already clean and one of the most affordable on the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWhich, again, is why this report comes at such a critical time. The province is also reviewing its EV mandate, which for years has helped give B.C. a considerable head start in terms of North American EV adoption. B.C.\u2019s EV policy leadership, driven in large part by the EV mandate, has resulted in better model availability and affordability and a more robust used EV market, making money-saving electric cars more accessible for more British Columbians.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWorryingly, a recent proposal from the province<\/a>, suggesting B.C.\u2019s EV target should be the same as a national one, threatens to undermine the policy entirely. One should not expect EV adoption in Metro Vancouver\u2014which hit 27% last year<\/a>\u2014to mirror EV adoption in Northern Saskatchewan. With some of the cheapest and cleanest electricity in the country, a more temperate climate, and more advanced EV infrastructure already in place, B.C. absolutely should expect and aim for higher EV adoption than Canada on average. In fact, any Canadian target that might exist will rely on provinces like B.C. and Quebec doing more heavy lifting, which is why target alignment in the province makes no sense\u2014and would undermine solving B.C.\u2019s biggest source of emissions. Not to mention one of the best affordability solutions out there: EVs save drivers thousands of dollars on fuel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAnother sector the provincial government cannot afford to overlook is buildings, which make up 19% of emissions. The solutions are already available and seeing growing uptake in the province. In addition to reducing emissions, efficient electric technologies like heat pumps can reduce household energy bills and increase people\u2019s quality of life by adding much-needed cooling. The recently released review of CleanBC suggests practical, low-cost solutions to make these technologies more easily accessible to households, such as through Highest Efficiency Equipment Standards and ensuring every newly installed A\/C also functions as a heat pump. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAfter all, it is the deployment and adoption of transformative climate solutions\u2014from EVs and heat pumps to wind turbines and a smarter electricity grid\u2014that will make a net-zero future possible. Which is why we agreed with the CleanBC review panel recently that the next phase of CleanBC should pair targets that are ambitious but achievable with new progress indicators more focused on the delivery and benefits of climate solutions. Success needs to be measured not only by the climate pollution emitted today, but also by the deployment of cost-saving technologies, the investments made by net-zero industries, and the build-out of our clean electricity system. In other words, on tangible actions with real benefits for British Columbians.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cUltimately, these reports give this government the advantage of a long view\u2014and the ability to build on what we know has worked. We encourage them to use it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Op-ed | \u201cB.C.\u2019s updated EV mandate would have zero impact if province follows through on a proposed change\u201d<\/a> (Vancouver Sun<\/em>, Dec. 4)<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"A](\"https:\/\/cleanenergycanada.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/image-1024x693.png\")
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