The need to reduce the pollution that causes global warming is clear — and urgent. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), a group of the world's leading climate scientists, has concluded that if no action is taken to reduce global warming emissions, the global average surface temperature is likely to increase by 1.1 to 6.4°C over the next 100 years. The impacts of this temperature increase could be devastating.

In British Columbia, some impacts from global warming are already visible. Much worse is forecast if emissions are not reduced. Salmon populations will be endangered due to warmer water temperatures and changing river flow patterns. Forests will be increasingly vulnerable to insect and disease outbreaks. Glaciers in the southern part of the province will continue to retreat.

For more information about global warming, visit the Pembina Institute Climate Change website.

Climate Action in British Columbia

In 2007, the British Columbia government legislated targets to reduce the province's greenhouse gas pollution by at least 33% below the 2007 level by 2020, and to 80% below the 2007 level by 2050. These targets represent a major step forward in combating climate change. However, the hardest work is yet to be done. To meet the 2020 target, at least 36 million tonnes of annual emissions will need to be cut. British Columbia will need to make changes across all sectors.

Since 2007, the British Columbia government has announced a number of policies and initiatives designed to help the province reduce emissions. The government is now developing the specific standards needed to implement these policies. For the Pembina Institute’s perspective on the proposed standards, please see our Comments on British Columbia's Proposed Vehicle Standards, our Comments on British Columbia's Proposed Emission Offset Rules, and our Comments on British Columbia's Proposed Green Building Code.

The government also established the Climate Action Team, a multi-stakeholder group created to help the government meet its climate commitments. In August, the Climate Action Team released a report with 31 recommendations on strategies, initiatives and interim targets for reducing emissions. A coalition of  British Columbia environmental groups has issued a Response to the Recommendations of the Climate Action Team, as well as a specific Response to the Climate Action Team's Forestry Recommendations.

Mind the Gap: A Blueprint for Climate Action in British Columbia

The Pembina Institute's Mind the Gap report frames the challenge British Columbia faces to meet the provincial target of reducing annual greenhouse gas pollution 33% by 2020. The report estimates the emission reductions that will be achieved by the provincial government's recent policy announcements, and then analyzes additional opportunities to reduce emissions. It examines potential actions in six sectors: business and industry; oil and gas; personal transportation; homes and buildings; waste and agriculture; and electricity. The report includes recommendations on policies that will help British Columbia make the major changes needed to meet the 2020 target.

The four-page "Mind the Gap" fact sheet summarizes findings and recommendations from the report, and provides an update on steps that have been taken since Mind the Gap was first released. The fact sheet highlights opportunities for reductions in the oil and gas and personal transportation sectors, two of the largest sources of emissions in British Columbia.

Cap and Trade: Reducing Pollution, Inspiring Innovation

The British Columbia government and its partners in the Western Climate Initiative, including the province of Manitoba and seven U.S. states, are currently designing a system that puts a cap on global warming emissions and allows trading of emission permits. A well designed "cap and trade" system could help greatly reduce British Columbia's greenhouse gas pollution, while keeping the economy and communities strong. However, if the emissions cap is weak or the trading system contains loopholes, British Columbia would miss a major opportunity to reduce its global warming emissions.

A report by the Pembina Institute, Cap and Trade: Reducing Pollution, Inspiring Innovation, explains how cap and trade systems work and offers recommendations for the design of a robust and effective system for British Columbia. The report's findings are summarized in a four-page fact sheet, "Cap and Trade: Tackling 40% of British Columbia's Global Warming Emissions."

In July 2008, the Western Climate Initiative released Draft Design Recommendations for the cap and trade system. The Pembina Institute's response to the recommendations, written in conjunction with Climate Action Network Canada, David Suzuki Foundation, Manitoba Wildlands and WWF-Canada, is available here.