Climate action money for municipalities

The provincial government has announced $1.2 billion in new funding it says will help people and communities make the transition to a cleaner, stronger economy.

The funds, which were referenced in the recent budget, are in addition to $2.3 billion previously committed to CleanBC initiatives aimed at reducing emissions across sectors.

Part of the new money will go to a local government climate action program to help communities reduce pollution and prepare for impacts of climate change.

A total of $76 million over three years will be available to local levels of government as predictable, flexible funding to meet local needs. More details are set to be announced in the coming weeks, but these specific funds are earmarked to make communities more resilient and environmentally sustainable, such building active transportation projects like bike lanes and multi-use pathways.

Speaking at a media briefing Monday, Finance Minister Selina Robinson said the climate-related disasters of 2021 had tested the people of British Columbia and reinforced the need for collective action to secure a low-carbon future.

“Budget 2022 makes strong investments to help us fight climate change, and makes it easier and more affordable for people, communities and industries to make climate-smart decisions."

George Heyman, Minister of Environment and Climate Change Strategy, said the budgeted funds means “substantial new investments to reduce emissions and remove pollution from the environment, new funding for electric vehicles, a cleaner industry, more local government climate action and cleaner buildings. “

Among ambitious climate action plans, the government has committed to ensuring 90 per cent of all new light-duty vehicle sales in the province will be zero emission by 2030, and 100 per cent by 2035. The government said B.C. is a leader in electric vehicles with 13 per cent of all new light-duty vehicle sales last year being zero emission.