Climate action legislation
Last updated on February 19, 2025The B.C. government has enacted climate legislation that frames B.C.’s approach to reducing emissions and transitioning to a low-carbon economy.
On this page
- Carbon Tax Act
- Climate Change Accountability Act
- Environmental Management Act
- Industry legislation
- Transportation legislation
- Electricity legislation
- Buildings legislation
- Local government sector legislation
Carbon Tax Act
The Carbon Tax Act establishes a price on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. A carbon price helps provide an incentive for sustainable choices that produce fewer emissions. Revenue generated is used to protect affordability, maintain industry competitiveness, and encourage new clean initiatives.
Regulations under this act
Climate Change Accountability Act
The Climate Change Accountability Act establishes targets for reducing GHG emissions and creates a climate change accountability framework, which includes an independent advisory committee and detailed annual reporting on actions taken to reduce emissions and manage climate change risks.
This act also requires provincial public sector organizations to achieve carbon neutrality every year and gives government the ability to set targets and requirements for provincial public sector buildings, fleets and fuels.
Regulations under this act
Environmental Management Act
The Environmental Management Act establishes provisions to reduce emissions from fuels and their combustion, manage GHGs at waste management facilities, set emissions standards for thermal treatment facilities and allow the regional district of Metro Vancouver to regulate air pollution.
Regulations under this act
Industry legislation
Greenhouse Gas Industrial Reporting and Control Act
The Greenhouse Gas Industrial Reporting and Control Act establishes GHG emissions reporting requirements and enables the ability for standards to be developed for industrial facilities or sectors, including a compliance framework.
Regulations under this act
- Greenhouse Gas Emission Reporting Regulation outlines the reporting requirements for industrial facilities that emit over 10,000 tonnes of GHG emissions per year
- Emission Offset Project Regulation outlines the emissions offset project requirements that operators can use towards a compliance obligation in the B.C. Output-Based Pricing System
- BC Carbon Registry Regulation outlines the requirements for use of the BC Carbon Registry
- Greenhouse Gas Emission Administrative Penalties and Appeals Regulation outlines administrative penalties for non-compliance
Energy Resource Activities Act
The Energy Resource Activities Act regulates energy resources and related activities in B.C., including oil and gas wells, facilities, oil refineries, natural gas processing plants, pipelines and energy resource roads, through permits, authorizations, orders and regulations. In 2023, the Oil and Gas Activities Act was renamed to the Energy Resource Activities Act and expanded to include the regulation of hydrogen, ammonia and methanol production.
Regulations under this act
Transportation legislation
Zero-Emission Vehicles Act
The Zero-Emission Vehicles Act requires automakers to meet an escalating annual percentage of new light-duty zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) sales and leases, ensuring a greater availability of ZEVs at more affordable prices in B.C.
Regulations under this act
Low Carbon Fuels Act
The Low Carbon Fuels Act requires that fuel suppliers have a minimum amount of renewable content in their gasoline and diesel fuel pools each year. This act also sets a low carbon fuel standard that requires fuel suppliers to reduce the carbon intensity of these fuels.
Regulations under this act
Electricity legislation
Clean Energy Act
The Clean Energy Act states B.C.'s energy objectives and outlines various mechanisms to help ensure that people and businesses continue to have access to affordable, clean and renewable energy while reducing carbon pollution.
Regulations under this act
Utilities Commission Act
The Utilities Commission Act governs the regulation of public utilities that provide electricity, natural gas, thermal energy and propane in B.C., including the work of the British Columbia Utilities Commission. It ensures British Columbians receive safe, reliable energy at fair rates, and utilities receive a fair and reasonable return on their investments. It encourages public utilities to take demand-side measures, and to consider B.C.'s energy objectives that include reduction of GHG emissions and production, and acquisition of energy from clean or renewable sources.
Regulations under this act
Buildings legislation
Building Act
The Building Act creates more consistent building requirements across B.C. and supports building innovation.
Regulations under this act
- BC Building Code includes minimum energy efficiency requirements for buildings.
- Building Act General Regulation allows local authorities to enact building requirements that conserve energy using the BC Energy Step Code and reduce GHG emissions using the Zero Carbon Step Code.
Energy Efficiency Act
The Energy Efficiency Act sets energy performance standards for devices that use, control or affect the use of energy, such as household appliances, heating and cooling systems, lighting and some industrial equipment.
Regulations under this act
Local government sector legislation
Local Government (Green Communities) Statutes Amendment Act
The Local Government (Green Communities) Statutes Amendment Act supports local governments in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, conserving energy and working towards creating more compact and sustainable communities. This includes requiring local governments to set GHG emissions reduction targets in local Official Community Plans and Regional Growth Strategies and supporting policies and actions.