Carbon Neutral Government
The B.C. Government is setting an example and working to ensure that its operations are carbon neutral for 2010 and every year thereafter. This commitment – enshrined in the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Targets Act – is the first of its kind in North America. It applies to all provincial public sector operations, including government ministries and agencies, schools, colleges, universities, health authorities and Crown corporations.
As part of this commitment, these organizations will:
- Measure their greenhouse gas emissions;
- Reduce these emissions as much as possible;
- Offset the remaining emissions by investing in projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, so the net effect of government activities is carbon neutral; and
- Report out publicly on plans and actions to reduce emissions.
More than 150 public sector organizations have already planned and implemented a wide range of programs and initiatives to conserve energy and save money. These activities are recorded in Carbon Neutral Action Reports.
- View a summary of the 2009 Carbon Neutral Action Reports: Carbon Neutral Update 2009 (PDF, 888 KB)
- View individual 2009 Carbon Neutral Action Reports, sorted by sector.
Soon, everyone in B.C. who attends school, visits a government office or goes to the hospital will be in a carbon neutral facility. Through carbon neutral government, British Columbians will learn how to take action and will see first-hand the benefits of a low carbon lifestyle.
For more information on carbon neutrality, click here.
