Coalition gives B.C. failing grade on 3 of its 10 'urgent' climate action targets
3rd report by B.C. Climate Emergency Campaign says province failing or making minor progress on 10 targets
A network of advocates, businesses, academics and First Nations says the B.C. government has, for the second year in a row, been giving a failing grade on three of the coalition's 10 urgent climate actions.
The B.C. Climate Emergency Campaign released its third annual progress report on Tuesday. The seven actions that did not receive failing grades were all given "minor progress" grades.
"It's high time that people begin to understand the consequences of ignoring the climate crisis," said Grand Chief Stewart Phillip, president of the B.C. Union of Indian Chiefs, which supports the group's campaign.
The report highlights how LNG development is undermining the province's climate efforts.
"We have to understand that LNG is not the answer. The market is global, it's volatile and it's too dangerous and too destructive," said Phillip at a Tuesday news conference.
In the report, he's quoted as saying that continuing with LNG project-permitting and terminal development, along with fracking, is irresponsible in the midst of a climate emergency.
The report's 10 actions and corresponding grades are:
- Set binding climate pollution targets based on science and justice: fail
- Invest in a thriving, regenerative, zero emissions economy: minor progress
- Rapidly wind down all fossil fuel production and use: fail
- End fossil fuel subsidies and make polluters pay: minor progress
- Leave no one behind: minor progress
- Protect and restore nature: minor progress
- Invest in local, organic, regenerative agriculture and food systems: minor progress
- Accelerate the transition to zero-emission transportation: minor progress
- Accelerate the transition to zero-emission buildings: minor progress
- Track and report progress on these actions every year: fail
Dr. Melissa Lem, a family doctor and president of the Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment, spoke Tuesday about the third action — rapidly wind down all fossil fuel production and use.
"We have no clear policies or plan to phase out fossil fuel production and exports and continue to support false solutions like carbon capture and storage and renewable gas that prop up and greenwash fossil fuel industry expansion," said Lem.
She said Canada's devastating 2023 and 2024 wildfire seasons "filled" emergency rooms and doctors' offices with patients experiencing asthma attacks, heart disease, anxiety and depression.
The government was given credit in the report for steps it has taken to satisfy some of the actions, including, for example, on the fourth action — end fossil fuel subsidies and make polluters pay. The report noted that the province's carbon price increased to $80/tonne of CO2-equivalent emissions and will rise by $15/tonne per year until it hits $170/tonne in 2030.
However, it also claimed the oil and gas industry is allowed to use billions of litres of fresh water for fracking at subsidized rates.
The B.C. Climate Emergency Campaign lists more than 600 organizations from a wide range of sectors on its website that have signed an open letter calling on the B.C. government to implement its 10 climate actions.
The B.C. The Ministry of Energy and Climate Solutions did not provide CBC News with a response to the progress report by the deadline on Wednesday.
The government's climate change website details the goal of net zero emissions by 2050. It says its Clean B.C. Roadmap to 2030 is being used to close the gaps in its climate goals.