METRO Vancouver said on Monday that it enthusiastically supports the Province of B.C.’s new CleanBC Roadmap to 2030, which outlines the actions necessary to achieve deep emission reductions while supporting economic resilience and affordability for residents.
“I am pleased to see alignment between the province’s CleanBC Roadmap and Metro Vancouver’s Climate 2050 and Clean Air Plan,” said Sav Dhaliwal, Chair of Metro Vancouver’s Board of Directors. “All orders of government must work together to address climate change, and B.C.’s announcement today further demonstrates the province’s leadership in achieving emission reductions and resilience targets. Metro Vancouver looks forward to working closely with the province to meet these targets.”
Metro Vancouver said that for nearly two decades it has taken a leadership role in the region’s response to climate change. Climate 2050 sets a target of a 45-per-cent reduction in emissions from 2010 to 2030 and carbon neutrality within the region by 2050. Metro Vancouver’s Clean Air Plan, approved last month, is the regional plan for managing air quality and greenhouse gases over the next 10 years. Actions outlined within the plan aim to reduce air contaminant emissions, including greenhouse gases, and support the commitment to a carbon neutral region by 2050.
“The province’s roadmap provides immense opportunities and support for businesses within the province to build on their existing strengths and thrive in an equitable, resilient economy that prioritizes greenhouse gas emissions reductions,” said David Flaks, President of Invest Vancouver, the region’s economic development leadership service. “Metro Vancouver is home to a robust and rapidly growing green economy and clean tech sector. CleanBC sends the clear message that innovative businesses, particularly those engaged in low- and near-zero emissions vehicles, low-carbon fuels and charging infrastructure, and the circular economy, are well-positioned to ensure that the province and Metro Vancouver region will not simply be a profligate consumer of clean tech products, processes, and services, but also be a world-leading researcher, engineer, designer, builder, and exporter of those clean tech solutions.”
The province’s announcement also indicates important alignment between the regional district and province ahead of the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) beginning October 31.
“Tackling climate change requires commitment from all levels of government. We strongly support both provincial and federal governments working to address the climate crisis, through the CleanBC Roadmap and Canada’s commitments at COP26,” said Adriane Carr, Chair of Metro Vancouver’s Climate Action Committee. “Our Climate 2050 strategy lays out the actions required to hit regional climate goals, which will be supported by the actions in the CleanBC Roadmap to 2030.”
More information on the Clean Air Plan and Climate 2050 can be found on Metro Vancouver’s website.