B.C.’s public sector has achieved a first among jurisdictions in North America by achieving carbon neutrality, Environment Minister Terry Lake announced Thursday at TRU.
“I think it’s quite an achievement,” Lake said. “Many governments are working on the idea, but no one’s made the commitment and actually got to that level.”
Carbon neutrality generally means reducing or offsetting air pollution caused by generating energy to heat and light buildings or power vehicles.
The achievement places B.C. on the leading edge of climate action and growth in the clean energy and technology sectors, the government says.
A $75-million public-sector energy conservation capital fund was established three years ago, giving the government a means of funding energy conservation at schools, hospitals, learning institutions and other government buildings. A total of 247 of these projects will cut public-sector carbon output by 35,500 tonnes and save about $12.6 million in annual energy costs, Lake said.
As well, the government spent $18.2 million to offset 730,000 tonnes of greenhouse gases in 2010 through the Pacific Carbon Trust. That fund, in turn, helps fund greenhouse gas reduction projects elsewhere in the province, Lake said.
“By providing capital funding for clean-energy and conservation projects up front, organizations are realizing savings that can be reinvested in front-line services.”
He cited the example of School District 73, which has had to pay $173,000 to offset greenhouse gases. In doing so it has managed to achieve savings of $400,000 per year.
While the public sector represents only one per cent of all greenhouse gas emissions in B.C. – and schools and transit are exempt from the carbon-neutral goal – the example encourages others to reduce their output.
The public-sector goal is part of the province’s commitment to reduce greenhouse emissions by 33 per cent by 2020.