B.C. seeks feedback on new climate plan

British Columbians are being asked to weigh in on a plan the government says will shape how they work, travel and live for decades to come.

The province is asking for feedback over the next two months on its new Climate Leadership Plan via engage.gov.bc.ca/climateleadership.

“A strong Climate Leadership Plan will help us take advantage of the low-carbon economy of the future and the thousands of green jobs that go with it,” Environment Minister Mary Polak said in a statement.

This is the second round of consultation on the plan. The first phase focused on ideas and priorities for climate-change mitigation and adaptation through a discussion paper and survey completed by nearly 6,000 people.

The government also received about 200 written submissions and 300 form letters.

This round of consultation is to get feedback on the process so far and on the climate leadership team’s recommendations that were released last fall.

Those recommendations included reaffirming B.C.’s legislated 2050 target of achieving a reduction in greenhouse-gas emissions of 80 per cent below 2007 levels, incremental carbon-tax increases and increased targets for the use of clean energy.

The government will be accepting submissions and will post a more detailed survey over the next two months.

There will also be consultations with industry and various sectors and public polling by Ipsos Reid.

The final Climate Leadership Plan is to be released this spring.