A new report from B.C.’s Ministry of Environment reveals that greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the province climbed slightly in 2008 – the first year after the provincial government set a goal to reduce emissions in B.C. by 33% by 2020.
Total greenhouse gas emissions in B.C. in 2008 were 68.7 megatonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2); emissions in 2007 – the year that government is using as a baseline for its emission reduction targets – were 68 megatonnes.
In 2008, B.C. emitted 15.7 tonnes per capita, which is 7% lower than the 16.9 tonnes per capita in 1990.
Most emissions in B.C. come from stationary combustion sources such as power generation and manufacturing facilities, which were responsible for 34% of CO2 emissions in 2008, and transportation, which generated 37% of emissions that year.
Compared with 2007 levels, emissions in B.C. must be reduced by a minimum of 33% by 2020 and 80% by 2050 under the Greenhouse Gas Reductions Target Act.
Interim reduction targets of 6% by 2012 and 18% by 2016 have also been set.
The environment ministry’s report, which was released Tuesday, provides the first measure of emissions changes against the 2007 baseline.
The four major gases or groups of gases that are responsible for human-related emissions are carbon dioxide (CO2), methane, nitrous oxide and synthetic (not naturally occurring) fluorinated gases such as sulphur hexafluoride and hydro-fluorocarbons.
Any B.C. facility emitting 10,000 tonnes or more of attributable greenhouse gases must report those emissions to the Ministry of Environment.