Environmental Quality Branch

CLIMATE CHANGE

1. British Columbia's Climate Change Actions

NEW B.C. Climate Action Secretariat
February 2008

B.C. has joined 30 U.S. states and a U.S Indian tribe as a founding member of the new Climate Registry. This is a multijurisdictional effort to develop and manage a system for reporting greenhouse gas emissions. The registry will help the Province track its progress with respect to reducing B.C. emissions. It will also support emissions-reduction policies for the member jurisdictions, representing over 214 million people.

B.C. Government Operations Greenhouse Gas Progress Report 2001-2004
May 2006

This B.C. Government report sets out government commitments and actions aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions from government operations. It was submitted to the Canadian Standard Association's voluntary Greenhouse Gas Registries.
(676 KB / 25 pages)

Weather, Climate and the Future: B.C.'s Plan
December 2004

Weather, Climate and the Future: B.C.'s Plan will guide the province's approach as it works with the federal government, industry, local government and individuals to address climate change. The plan's target is to maintain the province's ranking of third-lowest per-capita greenhouse gas emissions. The plan also outlines 40 actions that will lead the province's efforts in this regard. Already, progress has been made on 30 of these actions.

Weather, Climate and the Future: B.C.'s Plan
(986 KB / 56 pages)

The Plan's 40 Actions and Progress on Each Action (HTML)

Report of the B.C. Climate Change Economic Impacts Panel
March 2003

In this report, the B.C. Climate Change Economic Impacts Panel (an independent advisory panel) makes recommendations on the development of a B.C. climate change action plan.
(1 MB / 58 pages)

Potential Economic Implications of Possible Kyoto Scenarios on the B.C. Forest
December 2002

This report outlines the significant greenhouse gas emission-reduction measures taken by B.C.'s forest industry before the Kyoto Protocol was signed. It also discusses the economic implications of a proposed further 15% reduction by the 2008-2010 Kyoto Protocol reporting period.
(263 KB / 21 pages)

2. Emission Trading

Development and Analysis of Alternative GHG Emission Allocations
January 2003

This report provides an analysis of how British Columbia industries could be affected by greenhouse-gas-emission allocations under the proposed federal domestic emission trading/covenant mechanism for emission reductions. The report identifies potential fairness concepts for emission allocations to industries covered by such a mechanism.
(747 KB / 26 pages)

Workshop on Greenhouse Gas Emission Trading
June 2001

The B.C. Greenhouse Gas Forum sponsored a workshop on greenhouse gas emission trading in June 2001. Here are the presentations, along with the workshop agenda, registration list and a short biography of each speaker.

Mariam Glacier; K. Ronneseth, MoE

3. Community-Level Actions to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions

B.C. Community Energy and Emissions Inventory Initiative

The B.C. Community Energy and Emissions Inventory (CEEI) initiative is being undertaken to provide community energy- and greenhouse-gas-inventory reports for all B.C. local governments. These inventories will help municipalities plan and implement effective strategies for managing greenhouse gas emissions and energy use.

BC Climate Exchange

The BC Climate Exchange connects the many organizations involved in education and outreach on climate change, and related issues such as energy efficiency, green buildings, transportation, and sustainable industry. The website includes resources, tools and information for:

• teachers;
• businesses and industries;
• local government, community and First Nations groups; and
• the general public.

OneLess Tonne (Pembina Institute)

We can combat climate change by taking simple actions to reduce greenhouse gases at home and on the road. The OneLess Tonne calculator helps Canadians choose personal actions that will reduce their greenhouse gas emissions as much as possible.

ecoAction (Government of Canada}

Using Less, Living Better: This site describes many actions Canadians can take to reduce greenhouse gases and air pollution — and protect the environment in other ways.

Greenhouse Gas Action Guide
November 2004

The Greenhouse Gas Action Guide is a compilation of straightforward and cost-effective GHG-reduction initiatives. It is meant to help local governments carry out immediate actions to decrease greenhouse gases. The Greenhouse Gas Action Guide is hosted by the BC Climate Exchange.

Integration of Air Quality-Related Planning Processes
May 2004

This study explores the present practice and potential for integrating three community-based planning processes into one: air quality management planning, greenhouse gas action planning and community energy planning.
(1.48 MB / 149 pages)

4. Impacts and Adaptation

Workshop Summary: Implications of Climate Change in British Columbia's Southern Interior Forests (Canadian Mountains Institute of Applied Ecology)
October 2005

At this workshop, participants heard what climate models have to say about the future regional climate and the potential implications for flora, fauna and ecosystems. Participants also learned how to begin planning for the effects of climate change. (174 pages / 3.8 MB)

Living on the Edge: Climate Change and Salmon in Lang Creek
November 2004

Living on the Edge is an investigative study of the Lang Creek watershed. It evaluates recent impacts of warm stream temperatures on salmonids in the creek, and estimates the impacts of climate change on salmonids. It also forecasts the impacts of climate warming and climatic cycles on future stream temperatures in Lang Creek.
(68 pages / 3,868 KB)

Kevin Ronneseth, MoE

Conference Proceedings: Adapting to Climate Change in the Coastal Pacific Northwest: Challenges for Ecosystems, Communities, Industries and Institutions
May 2003

This conference addressed the past and projected future impacts of climate change, and the ways in which coastal communities and resource managers in the Pacific Northwest can prepare and adapt.
(67 pages / 1 MB)

Columbia Basin and Northern B.C. Adaptation and Impact Workshops: Summaries of Proceedings
January and February 2003

In 2003, the Environmental Quality Branch (then the Water, Air and Climate Change Branch) funded two workshops on climate change impacts and adaptation, in cooperation with C-CIARN BC and local partner organizations. Here are the summaries of the (1.) Columbia Basin and (2.) Northern B.C. workshops:

1. Climate Change in the Columbia Basin (Columbia Mountains Institute)
January 17-18, 2003

Full Report (102 pages)

Report in HTML

2. Adapting to Climate Change in Northern British Columbia
February 2003
(71 pages / 583 KB)

Canadian Climate Change Impacts and Adaptation Research Network (C-CIARN)

C-CIARN connects communities with researchers to increase understanding about the potential impacts of a changing climate on the people, environment and economy of British Columbia. Communities need this information to improve their ability to respond to climate change and variation.

Ministry of Forests and Range (MoFR): Climate Change

This website includes the report, Preparing for Climate Change: Adapting to Impacts on B.C.'s Forest and Range Resources. It has links to other important MoFR websites, such as Future Forest Ecosystems of B.C. and Research Branch: Climate Change.

Destruction of lodgepole pine forest by
mountain pine beetle; S. Meyn, MoE

5. Climate Change in B.C. and Canada

NEW Environmental Trends 2007: B.C. Climate Change Indicators

Environmental indicators are measuring sticks that track the results achieved by governments, industries and individuals to protect and improve the environment. B.C.'s climate change indicators are on the Environmental Trends 2007 website (which has a host of other information, including air quality indicators):

In-Depth Report
(44 pages)

Climate Change Overview

Indicators at a Glance:

• Air Temperature Trends
• Ocean Temperature
• Precipitation Trends
• Sea Level Rise
• Greenhouse Gas Emission Trends
• Fossil Fuel Use in Transportation Sector

Indicators of Climate Change for British Columbia, 2002
March 2002

Indicators of Climate Change for British Columbia, 2002 documents how temperature, precipitation, and some related physical and biological systems changed in B.C. during the last 100 years. The trends suggest that many regions of B.C. are starting to feel the early impacts of climate change.

Full Report
(1,112 KB / 50 pages)

Report by Topic Area (HTML)
This includes the technical background papers and references for each topic.

Climate, Nature, People: Indicators of Canada's Changing Climate (CCME)
November 2003

Climate, Nature, People: Indicators of Canada’s Changing Climate is produced by the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment (CCME). It describes 12 climate change indicators, documents changes in these indicators during the 20th century, and identifies the potential implications
(51 pages)

Greenhouse Gas Emissions : National Indicators (Government of Canada)
2006

Greenhouse gas emissions are the indicator selected by the federal government and its partners to track progress and be held accountable in addressing climate change. Canada's 2003 GHG emissions were 32% above the target set for the 2008-2012 period under the Kyoto Protocol.

6. Emissions Inventories

B.C. Joins the Climate Registry
May 2007

British Columbia has joined 30 U.S. states and a U.S Indian tribe as a founding member of the new Climate Registry, a GHG database and reporting system.

2000 British Columbia Emissions Inventory of Criteria Air Contaminants: Methods and Calculations
October 2004

This report describes the methods and calculations used to compile the 2000 emission inventory for British Columbia. The criteria air contaminants in this inventory are: carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, sulphur oxides, volatile organic compounds and particulate matter (with PM₁₀ and PM_2.5 breakdowns).
(1.18 MB / 113 pages)

7. General Information

Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)

Established by the World Meteorological Organization and the United Nations Environment Programme in 1988, the IPCC assesses scientific, technical and socioeconomic information about climate change, its potential impacts, and options for adaptation and mitigation.

Teacher's Guide to Clean Air
Fall 2005

A Teacher's Guide to Clean Air explains the key air quality issues and climate change, and describes how we can become involved in protecting the planet. A Clean Air Crusaders poster is also available, to stand alone or support the teacher's guide. Contact BC Transit or the Ministry of Environment to obtain a guide or poster.
(2 MB / 45 pages)

Captain Air, Clean Air Crusader

Clean Air Toolkit: A Guide for Cleaner Air

The Clean Air Toolkit is designed to help local government develop programs to reduce emissions, such as vehicle exhaust and smoke. It is a joint initiative of the Ministry of Environment, BC Transit and Environment Canada.

Less is More: Exploring the Connections between Energy and the Air We Breathe
May 2003

This information comes from the back of the 2003 Clean Air Day poster. It focuses on energy, and how it affects air quality and our life. It also explains what individuals can do to reduce emissions from the burning of fossil fuels.

To print the text at 100% sizing, use legal (8 ½" x 14") paper. If you print on 8 ½" x 11" paper, the text sizing will be reduced to 94%.

Climate Change, Air Quality and You: Issues for British Columbia
June 2001

This content is from the back of the Clean Air Day 2001 posters. It looks at the greenhouse effect and climate change, the potential impacts of climate change on B.C., and transportation choices we can make to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

(344 KB / 3 pages)

TV Series — Global Warning: Climate Change and B.C. (Knowledge Network)
October 2000

This TV documentary examines climate change and its implications for B.C.. It also focuses on how to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and how we might have to adapt to climate change. It was produced by the Knowledge Network, in partnership with the Ministry of Environment, Government of Canada, BC Lung Association, Metro Vancouver and BC Gas. To view the documentary, visit the Knowledge Network website.

Posters: Climate Change in Canada including Southwestern B.C. (Natural Resources Canada)

Wild BC: Climate Change Resources for Teachers

For information and resources on using climate change as a teaching theme, go to the Wild BC site.

The Hybrid Experience Report (Fraser Basin Council, Fleet Challenge BC)
2004

Hybrid electric vehicles are a new technology that combines the internal combustion engine of a conventional vehicle with a rechargeable battery and electric motor. The Hybrid Experience Report includes information and calculators to help buyers make choices based on fuel savings, emission reduction, and overall cost.