On June 25, 2019, the Business Council was pleased to host a member forum to provide an update on our work with the Province of British Columbia to develop a Low Carbon Industrial Strategy.
Senior government and industry representatives from our Strategic and Technical Leadership Teams discussed the findings of the first phase of GHG emissions and competitiveness modelling and outlined the next phase of policy work to come. Speakers included:
- Bobbi Plecas, Deputy Minister, Intergovernmental Relations Secretariat, Office of the Premier
- Silas Brownsey, Associate Deputy Minister, Ministry of Jobs, Technology & Trade
- Richard Dunn, Consultant, Capilano Policy Group
- Tom Syer, Head of Government Affairs, Teck Resources
The joint GHG modelling with government assesses the carbon intensity of British Columbia's largest energy and natural resource exports and compares them to competing jurisdictions globally. We have concluded that on average B.C. products are about half the GHG intensity of our competitors.
Our joint work is now focused over the next two months on prioritizing the regulatory, policy, tax and infrastructure conditions required for B.C.'s industrial and transportation sectors to be competitive and create the conditions for new investment. Your company and sector engagement is needed to properly identify and advance the changes that will leverage our low carbon advantage to become a global supplier of choice.
British Columbia can make an outsized contribution to reducing global emissions while creating economic benefits for communities and families across the province. This was a valuable opportunity to learn how BCBC members can inform and benefit from B.C.'s Low Carbon Industrial Strategy.