VICTORIA — Evan Pivnick, clean energy program manager at Clean Energy Canada, made the following statement in response to B.C.’s 2025 Climate Change Accountability Report.
“B.C.’s new Climate Change Accountability Report shows both real progress being made and rightly acknowledges there is more work to do. In particular, emissions in the province declined in 2023 by 4% compared to 2022, with per capita emissions falling even further.
“Indeed, we now have a long enough historical view to see the efficacy of meaningful climate policy. Per capita climate pollution has been declining in the province for years, but especially since the 2008 introduction of B.C.’s carbon tax (the consumer portion of which was recently eliminated) and since the 2018 implementation of CleanBC, the province’s comprehensive climate plan.
“This data comes at a critical moment for the province as it reviews potential changes to CleanBC. Importantly, it shows that CleanBC is working and that emissions have decoupled both from population and economic growth. As B.C.’s population and economy have grown, emissions have largely flatlined or, in the case of 2023, declined. Thus it is paramount that any rethinking of CleanBC represents a renewal, not a reversal, especially in the absence of the consumer carbon tax. You shouldn’t break what is proven to be working.
“But this year’s accountability report also shows where there is still work to be done. Transportation represents the biggest source of carbon pollution in the province at 41% of all emissions. Transportation emissions have also seen an increase over the past few decades nationwide, partly due to the adoption of larger vehicles. Encouragingly, that curve is finally bending downward in B.C. Light-duty vehicle emissions are now down 5% relative to 2007 despite population and vehicle growth. The report credits biofuel adoption, improved vehicle efficiency, and the adoption of electric vehicles.
“But it is the latter solution, the adoption of EVs, that will be critical to continuing that downward trajectory all the way to zero, as blending biofuels and improving gas car efficiency can only ever reduce a fraction of vehicle emissions. Electrification can decarbonize tailpipe emissions entirely, as we plug into a power grid that is already clean and one of the most affordable on the continent.
“Which, again, is why this report comes at such a critical time. The province is also reviewing its EV mandate, which for years has helped give B.C. a considerable head start in terms of North American EV adoption. B.C.’s EV policy leadership, driven in large part by the EV mandate, has resulted in better model availability and affordability and a more robust used EV market, making money-saving electric cars more accessible for more British Columbians.
“Worryingly, a recent proposal from the province, suggesting B.C.’s EV target should be the same as a national one, threatens to undermine the policy entirely. One should not expect EV adoption in Metro Vancouver—which hit 27% last year—to mirror EV adoption in Northern Saskatchewan. With some of the cheapest and cleanest electricity in the country, a more temperate climate, and more advanced EV infrastructure already in place, B.C. absolutely should expect and aim for higher EV adoption than Canada on average. In fact, any Canadian target that might exist will rely on provinces like B.C. and Quebec doing more heavy lifting, which is why target alignment in the province makes no sense—and would undermine solving B.C.’s biggest source of emissions. Not to mention one of the best affordability solutions out there: EVs save drivers thousands of dollars on fuel.
“Another sector the provincial government cannot afford to overlook is buildings, which make up 19% of emissions. The solutions are already available and seeing growing uptake in the province. In addition to reducing emissions, efficient electric technologies like heat pumps can reduce household energy bills and increase people’s quality of life by adding much-needed cooling. The recently released review of CleanBC suggests practical, low-cost solutions to make these technologies more easily accessible to households, such as through Highest Efficiency Equipment Standards and ensuring every newly installed A/C also functions as a heat pump.
“After all, it is the deployment and adoption of transformative climate solutions—from EVs and heat pumps to wind turbines and a smarter electricity grid—that will make a net-zero future possible. Which is why we agreed with the CleanBC review panel recently that the next phase of CleanBC should pair targets that are ambitious but achievable with new progress indicators more focused on the delivery and benefits of climate solutions. Success needs to be measured not only by the climate pollution emitted today, but also by the deployment of cost-saving technologies, the investments made by net-zero industries, and the build-out of our clean electricity system. In other words, on tangible actions with real benefits for British Columbians.
“Ultimately, these reports give this government the advantage of a long view—and the ability to build on what we know has worked. We encourage them to use it.”
RESOURCES
Op-ed | “B.C.’s updated EV mandate would have zero impact if province follows through on a proposed change” (Vancouver Sun, Dec. 4)
Release | CleanBC review panel recommendations reflect a new era for climate action grounded in affordability, competitiveness, and security
Release | Proposed update to B.C.’s EV mandate presents smart tools for automakers and consumers alike but undermines them with one stipulation