Trim by 33 per cent from current levels by 2020; reports to be issued every two years
Jeff Rud, Times Colonist
Published: Tuesday, November 20, 2007
B.C. has become the first Canadian province to enshrine greenhouse gas reduction targets in legislation.
Environment Minister Barry Penner Tuesday introduced Bill 44, the Greehouse Gas Reduction Targets Act, which mandates that province's emissions be trimmed by 33 per cent below current levels by 2020.
The law also calls for "realistic, economically viable" interim targets be set by the end of 2008. And it mandates reduction of emissions by at least 80 per cent below 2007 levels by 2050.
The bill followed through on climate change action first promised by the Liberal government in February's throne speech. It also coincided with Tuesday's unveiling of the 22-member Climate Action Team.
That team has a distinct Victoria flavour, including noted climate change expert Andrew Weaver of the University of Victoria's School of Earth & Ocean Sciences.
"This is like a dream come true," said Weaver, one of nine team members who was part of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, a joint winner of the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize. "Here in B.C. we're taking leadership on this climate portfolio - not only in Canada but also internationally."
The legislation calls on government to produce a report every two years on its progress toward the targets. It also requires all government agencies including schools, colleges, universities, health authorities and Crown corporations to be carbon neutral by 2010.
The Sierra Club of B.C. welcomed the legislation and the formation of the action team, crediting government for "continuing to show leadership on fighting global warming." Spokeswoman Lisa Matthaus said the legislation means a "carbon lens" will have to now be placed on all of government's policies and programs. "I think that will bring a very different perspective to what's happening, say, with [the] Gateway [transportation initiative] and the twinning of the Port Mann Bridge, and oil and gas subsidies.''
However, the Sierra Club wants government to commit to having an independent body such as the Auditor General's office monitor its progress toward greenhouse gas reduction. The bill in its current form does not require that.
NDP environment critic Shane Simpson said he was disappointed that the bill uses 2007 baseline data when referring to B.C.'s 2050 reduction goal. Simpson says that makes B.C.'s goal less aggressive than those of California or some European Union nations who are committing to a reduction of 80 per cent below 1990 levels by 2050. "That should be the number we're striving for," he said.
Penner said B.C.'s 2050 target is supported by the best available science. Government's long-term goal is aggressive, he said, even though it doesn't match some other jurisdictions. Its 2020 targets remain the most aggressive in North America.
The Rest Here: http://www.canada.com/victoriatimescolonist/news/story.html?id=6cde8eaa-b738-4fc4-930c-e30a8e7ff67a&k=66812
Doh Canada!