Division resources

Ministry of Environment

Branches

The Environmental Protection Division delivers programs and services through four branches:

Environmental Management Branch

The Environmental Management Branch is responsible for a wide array of environmental management regulatory programs, including: hazardous and industrial waste management; waste and environmental database management; environmental emergency response and spill reporting; integrated pest management initiatives and land remediation (contaminated site) management and certification.

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Environmental Quality Branch

The Environmental Quality Branch develops pollution prevention legislation, standards and policies and is responsible for a wide array of environmental regulatory programs including: hazardous and industrial waste management; municipal waste management including Industry Product Stewardship; municipal sewage; and organic matter management. In addition, the branch sets standards for, and coordinates with, Regional Operations Branch to operate the ambient air and water (surface and ground water) quality monitoring networks and administers the ministry's laboratory agreements. The branch also coordinates the implementation of the B.C. Air Action Plan.

Provincial Programs

  • Industry Product Stewardship
  • Ambient Air Quality, Water Quality and Monitoring Networks and Systems
  • Administer Ministry Laboratory Agreements
  • Oversee Implementation of BC Air Action Plan

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Climate Change Branch

The mandate of this branch is to develop and implement policies aimed at reducing provincial greenhouse gas emissions and increasing British Columbia's capacity to anticipate climate change impacts and to adapt to these impacts. The branch is responsible for programs aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions from passenger vehicles, from fixed sources mainly located at industrial facilities and from offset projects. The branch also prepares greenhouse gas inventories for the province as a whole and for B.C. communities. On adaptation, staff work with researchers to identify the impacts of a changing climate and work with communities, agencies, businesses and other ministries in developing plans and projects to increase knowledge of and resilience to these changes.

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Regional Operations Branch

The Regional Operations Branch includes nine regional offices whose staff are on the front line in delivering EPD's programs and policies, supported by the other two branches. Regional Operations ensures safe discharges to water, land and air through authorizations and under voluntary arrangements with others.