Carbon Neutral Government
For an overview of the provincial government's carbon neutral achievements, to date, visit LiveSmart BC.
On this Page:
Carbon Neutral B.C.: A first for North America
B.C.’s public sector is officially carbon neutral, a first for any province or state in North America and an achievement that places British Columbia on the leading edge of climate action and growth in the clean energy and clean technology sectors.
To kick-start carbon neutral efforts, B.C. launched a $75 million public sector energy conservation capital fund in 2008. It has funded 247 energy projects in schools, hospitals, colleges, universities and other government buildings across the province. Once complete, those projects are expected to reduce carbon output by 36,500 tonnes, create 500 jobs and save organizations about $12.6 million in annual energy costs.
“From this point forward, every government building in our province will be carbon neutral, and that is spurring innovation in our growing clean energy and clean-tech sectors, which is helping create jobs for British Columbians,” said Environment Minister Terry Lake. “By providing capital funding for clean energy and conservation projects upfront, organizations are realizing savings that can be reinvested in front-line services.”
B.C.’s carbon neutral regulation requires all public sector organizations to measure, reduce and offset greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from buildings, vehicle fleets and paper use.
Provincial public sector operations spent $18.2 million to offset 730,000 tonnes of GHGs in 2010, well within targets set when the carbon neutral regulation was introduced in 2007.
“In this first chapter of our carbon neutral success story we’ve shown cutting emissions creates savings and new jobs.” said Lake. “Taking a leadership role on carbon emissions has meant change and, in some cases, challenges for some organizations. The next chapter will be about working with those organizations on ways to lower their offset costs and see greater savings.”
Read the June 30, 2011 News Release
more
Methodology for Reporting B.C. Public Sector Greenhouse Gas Emissions
The Ministry of Environment and Shared Services BC have prepared the Methodology for Reporting B.C. Public Sector Greenhouse Gas Emissions to detail the emission factors and methodology used for calculating and reporting in-scope emissions for Public Sector Organizations (PSOs) who are reporting under the Carbon Neutral Government Regulation. This document will be periodically revised to reflect changes or clarifications to the emission factors, methodologies and scope.
ALSO SEE: Methodology for Reporting B.C. Local Governments GHG Emissions.
Top