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Climate action and accountability

Last updated on December 21, 2023

B.C. is taking action to meet our climate goals, prepare for the impacts of climate change and transition to a net-zero future. Learn more about our greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions targets, the plans, strategies and goals that guide our work, and our progress to date.

People tree planting, cycling, recycling, driving electric cars and taking other climate-friendly actions.

On this page

B.C.’s climate change targets

Using 2007 as the baseline, B.C. is committed to reducing GHG emissions by:

  • 16 percent by 2025
  • 40 percent by 2030
  • 60 percent by 2040
  • 80 percent by 2050

In March 2021, to help meet provincial GHG targets, the Province established new 2030 emission reduction targets for four sectors, with 2007 as a baseline:

  • Transportation: 27-32 percent
  • Industry: 38-43 percent
  • Oil and gas: 33-38 percent
  • Buildings and communities: 59-64 percent

Learn about our progress to targets.

Affordability and climate change

The Province is working to improve the affordability, availability and accessibility of cleaner options for families and people, especially for those who need it the most. Examples include:

  • Increasing the B.C. Climate Action Tax Credit for families and people with low and middle incomes
  • Making electricity, electric bikes, used electric vehicles, and heat pumps PST exempt
  • Providing free public transit for children 12 and under
  • Providing B.C. bus passes to low-income seniors and people receiving disability assistance
  • Providing e-bike rebates that are income-based
  • Investing in active transportation and transit projects
  • Providing income-tested incentives for zero-emission vehicles
  • Offering incentives for heat pumps and other home energy improvements, with greater support for lower- and moderate-income households and homeowners living in colder climates
  • Keeping BC Hydro electricity rates among the lowest in North America while providing safe, reliable power and continuing to invest in a resilient electrical system
  • Providing residential BC Hydro customers flexibility and savings with the new optional time-of-day pricing by choosing to shift energy-intensive activities, like charging their electric vehicles or running the dishwasher, to off-peak hours

The Province continues to engage with partners and interested parties about considerations like affordability, economic growth, competitiveness, and equity in the implementation of its climate action commitments.

Learn more about how government remains committed to keeping life affordable.

Climate change strategies

CleanBC and Roadmap to 2030

The CleanBC Roadmap to 2030 (PDF, 9.2MB) is the Province’s plan to reach our climate targets and put us on the path to net-zero emissions by 2050, while building a clean economy.  

The Roadmap builds on actions from the 2018 CleanBC plan (PDF, 5.3MB) and previous B.C. climate plans.  It examines eight key areas of our economy that generate emissions or can create solutions.

The Roadmap sets out a series of pathways to support innovation in sectors where clean energy solutions are emerging, and drives deployment in sectors where they’re already mature–helping to deliver more low carbon solutions, faster. 

Learn more about CleanBC programs, policies and actions related to: 

Climate Preparedness and Adaptation Strategy

Climate change is already being felt across B.C. and will continue to impact the province in the years to come. The Climate Preparedness and Adaptation Strategy (CPAS) (PDF, 7MB) helps keep people and communities safe, lowers long-term risks and costs and protects ecosystems from the effects of our changing climate.

Annual climate reporting

Every year the B.C. government publishes a Climate Change Accountability Report outlining progress on climate action.