By Premier John Horgan
The CleanBC climate action plan, launched by our government this week, will put B.C. on the path to a cleaner, better future, with more opportunity for people.
Like so many of you, when my kids were young, we took them to watch the salmon spawning and out exploring in hopes of seeing orcas in the wild. We need to protect this beautiful province for our children and grandchildren, and for the people, communities, and industries that depend on B.C.’s abundant natural resources.
We’re rising to the challenge of climate change and building a strong, sustainable, low-carbon economy that reduces climate pollution. This new economy will create jobs and economic opportunities for people, businesses, and communities in every part of B.C. And we’re working together with the B.C. Green caucus to get it done.
Over time, CleanBC will make how we get around, how we work, and how we heat our homes more efficient. It will make cleaner options more convenient, available, and affordable. And it will support industries and investments in low-carbon products, services, and pollution-reducing technologies.
By 2032, every new building constructed in B.C. will be “net-zero energy ready”. We’re also requiring new buildings to be more efficient, and ramping up funding for renovations and energy retrofits to our existing homes and offices. And we’re reducing residential and industrial organic waste and turning it into a clean resource.
As part of CleanBC, every new light-duty car or truck sold in B.C. will be a zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) by 2040. ZEVs will be more accessible and affordable for people throughout the province. We’ll help people save money on fuel with incentive programs, and make it easier to charge or fuel ZEVs. We’ll also be speeding up the switch to cleaner fuels at the gas pump, and helping industry to lower their emissions and reduce pollution.
We’re working collaboratively to seize new clean economy opportunities, and help communities adapt to the impacts of climate change. First Nations governments, local governments and businesses are all partners on the path forward. And by moving to clean, renewable energy – like our abundant supply of B.C. electricity – we will power our growing economy and make life better and more affordable for British Columbians. And we will work in partnership with Indigenous Peoples on the path forward.
The challenges of climate change are global, but the impact is all too clear here in B.C. Unprecedented wildfires and floods have hurt people, communities, and businesses throughout our province. We have a responsibility to act – for now and for future generations. Our government is taking that responsibility seriously.
It’s time to put B.C. on a cleaner, more sustainable path, to build a better future for everyone in this province.
With CleanBC we’re taking important steps forward, to make sure B.C. succeeds in the low-carbon economy of the future. We want to make sure people can live, work and build good lives in the communities they call home.
