B.C. climate plan needs carbon tax hikes, major policy changes, experts say
VANCOUVER — Experts say they’re not sure British Columbia’s overdue climate change plan will go far enough in increasing carbon taxes and tightening environmental policies to reach the province’s long term goals to reduce emissions.
B.C.’s Liberal government is scheduled to announce its Climate Leadership Plan on Friday, but Green party Leader Andrew Weaver said a decision to scrap cap-and-trade in 2014 and focus on developing the liquefied natural gas industry makes him doubtful the plan will be effective in curbing the province’s rising emissions.
“It’s incompatible to be a climate leader and an LNG leader,” said Weaver, who represents Oak Bay-Gordon Head in the legislature.
A group of experts, First Nations, and business leaders were part of the government’s Climate Leadership Team that put forward 32 recommendations to the province last fall, including raising the $30-per-tonne carbon tax by $10 annually.