British Columbia Premier Gordon Campbell and Environment Minister Barry Penner have announced the introduction of the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Targets Act.
The act puts into law British Columbia's target of reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by at least 33% below 2007 levels by 2020. It also requires that realistic, economically viable interim targets for 2012 and 2016 be set by the end of 2008, and further establishes an emission reduction target of 80% below 2007 levels by 2050. The government will also be required to publish a report every two years outlining the progress made towards reaching the emissions reduction targets.
The act requires the provincial government, including provincial ministries and agencies, schools, colleges, universities, health authorities and Crown corporations, to become carbon neutral by 2010 and to make public a report every year detailing actions taken towards carbon neutrality.
To help ensure that GHG emissions reduction targets are met, next year the British Columbia government will bring forward additional legislation to regulate emissions from different sectors. Legislation will include setting up a cap-and-trade system for large emitters, adopting California tailpipe standards for new vehicles, introducing a low-carbon fuel standard requiring distributors of fuels and providing authority for the regulation and capture of landfill gases.