B.C., we have a gassy problemNatural gas sector needs to reduce climate pollution

Op-ed - July 25, 2018 - By Karen Tam Wu

Published in Globe and Mail (June 23, 2018)

Natural gas is already B.C.'s biggest source of industrial carbon pollution. Photo: Province of B.C.

The B.C. government has, on one hand, given the liquefied natural gas industry big tax breaks and, on the other, reaffirmed its commitment to meeting our climate goals (LNG Canada In B.C. To Hire Mainly Canadian Workers For $40-Billion Project Construction, July 15).

But how this fossil-fuel industry might fit within B.C.'s carbon budget remains hazy.

The province's natural gas framework suggests LNG's carbon pollution can be offset by the "aggressive electrification" of transportation, heating of homes and buildings, and upstream gas production. Until we have both a climate strategy laying out sector-specific carbon reduction pathways and a province-wide electrification strategy, we have no idea whether the numbers will add up.

Furthermore, while the gas sector claims its product is "clean," it has a methane leak problem. Meanwhile, gas is already B.C.'s biggest source of industrial emissions. The gas sector needs to do its fair share in reducing carbon pollution and protecting our climate.

Karen Tam Wu, B.C. managing director, Pembina Institute
Vancouver

The Globe and Mail published this letter to the editor on July 23, 2018 (page A10).


Karen Tam Wu
Karen Tam Wu

Karen Tam Wu was the regional director of B.C. at the Pembina Institute until 2022.


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