Low-Carbon Fuel Standard
- The Greenhouse Gas Reduction (Renewable and Low Carbon Fuel Requirements) Act was passed in 2008. This legislation enables the Province to adopt a low-carbon fuel standard.
- The Low-Carbon Fuel Standard requires fuel distributors to measure the average carbon intensity of their products and reduce it over time.
- Intensity is measured on a lifecycle or 'well-to-wheels' approach, which takes into account all emissions-creating activities related to the production and use of the fuel, including land use changes that result from biofuel production.
- BC is targeting at least a ten per cent reduction by 2020 in the average carbon intensity of transportation fuels.
- Industry will be able to decide how best to meet the standard. Options may include using more biofuels, electricity, hybrid vehicles, flex-fuel vehicles and fuel cells. Carbon intensity can also be reduced at refineries by improving efficiency and reducing on-sire greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
- BC's approach will encourage the development of biofuels with lower emissions. These may include ethanol from agricultural wastes, forest residues and perennial grasses.
- This initiative is supported by the Province's new Bioenergy Strategy.
