British Columbia Election 2009
Carbon Tax Among the Election Winners
British Columbia established itself as a progressive climate leader by banning dirty coal-fired electricity and implementing one of the first carbon taxes in North America. The re-election of Premier Campbell signals that bold action on climate change can bring political as well as economic opportunity.
Maintaining British Columbia's climate leadership over the next four years will require building upon this strong foundation. In particular, the carbon tax will need to be gradually increased, and its coverage of pollution sources will need to be broadened.
British Columbia's government has been given a mandate by voters to implement the policies needed to tackle global warming. With the election over, it is time to take the next steps necessary to further climate change policy and solutions in British Columbia.
Background
The Pembina Institute examined the climate and energy commitments of British Columbia's three main parties — Liberal, NDP and Green — in order to help voters better understand each party's platform with respect to climate and energy issues. To find out the results, please read the platform review.
The NDP election platform would have eliminated the foundation of the existing British Columbia climate plan — the carbon tax — without offering an equivalent or improved replacement. For more information, read the Editorial and the Media Backgrounder written by the Pembina Institute, the David Suzuki Foundation, and Forest Ethics.
A Blueprint for Climate Action in British Columbia
The Pembina Institute's Mind the Gap report frames the challenge British Columbia faces to meet the provincial target of reducing annual greenhouse gas pollution 33% by 2020. The report examines potential actions in six sectors: business and industry; oil and gas; personal transportation; homes and 
buildings; waste and agriculture; and electricity. The report includes recommendations on policies that will help British Columbia make the major changes needed to meet the 2020 target.
The four-page "Mind the Gap" fact sheet summarizes findings and recommendations from the report, and provides an update on steps that have been taken since Mind the Gap was first released. The fact sheet highlights opportunities for reductions in the oil and gas and personal transportation sectors, two of the largest sources of emissions in British Columbia.
Cap and Trade: Reducing Pollution, Inspiring 
Innovation
British Columbia and its partners in the Western Climate Initiative are currently designing a "cap and trade" system to reduce the pollution that causes global warming. If designed well, the system has huge potential to reduce British Columbia's global warming emissions. Large industry and aviation, two sectors that could be covered by cap and trade, produce 
approximately 40% of the province's emissions.
A report by the Pembina Institute, Cap and Trade: Reducing Pollution, Inspiring Innovation, explains how cap and trade systems work and offers recommendations for the design of an effective system. The report's key recommendations are summarized in the fact sheet, "Tackling 40% of British Columbia's Global Warming Emissions." For more information, contact Matt Horne, Director of British Columbia Energy Solutions.
Community Engagement
The Pembina Institute works directly with communities throughout British Columbia on energy issues. Through services such as energy and sustainability planning, our Sustainable Communities Group helps municipalities and First Nations communities identify and achieve sustainability goals.
We also conduct grassroots outreach on energy issues affecting the province, such as the impacts of oil and gas development and opportunities for renewable energy projects. A series of ten fact sheets on British Columbia energy issues, including the Cumulative Effects of Oil and Gas Development, Oil and Gas Development and Your Right to Participate, and Renewable and Alternative Energy Options for British Columbia, is available for download from our website. [MORE]
