BC admits climate targets off track as CleanBC review begins

(Image courtesy Government of BC)

The BC government is under scrutiny after launching a public review of its CleanBC climate strategy, amid admissions it is not on track to meet its own greenhouse gas reduction goals for 2025 or 2030.

The review, which invites public feedback until August 1, comes as emissions reportedly continue to rise in sectors like transportation and natural gas — trends that have placed the province’s legislated climate targets out of reach. In April, the Ministry of Energy and Climate Solutions acknowledged that emissions in 2025 are now projected to be only 2.6 percent below 2007 levels, far short of the 16 percent reduction target. Projections for 2030 indicate a 20 percent drop — only half the 40 percent goal.

“We are not on track to meet our near-term 2030 goals,” Energy Minister Adrian Dix said earlier this year.

CleanBC, launched in 2018, was billed as the province’s roadmap to a low-carbon economy. But nearly seven years in, the program has failed to achieve promised reductions — even as the government continues to approve industrial expansion and scale back key components of the plan.

The public review, led by independent climate-policy experts Merran Smith and Dan Woynillowicz, will examine the effectiveness of CleanBC’s programs, assess their economic and community impact, and make recommendations for updated targets and new policy measures. Draft findings are due to government by September 1, with final recommendations expected by October 15.

The review was secured through the 2025 Cooperation and Responsible Government Accord between the BC NDP and the BC Greens. In a statement, interim Green leader Jeremy Valeriote said the province “is failing to meet its 2030 climate goals” and urged citizens to use the public engagement process to push for transparency and accountability.

Feedback is being accepted through an online survey, while written submissions of up to 2,500 words are invited from industry professionals, climate experts, labour organizations, local governments and indigenous rights holders. The deadline for general submissions is July 18; local governments and indigenous communities have until August 1.

The review also comes on the heels of several policy shifts. In March, Premier David Eby announced the cancellation of the consumer carbon tax, a funding stream for CleanBC. When asked how the province would replace that revenue, Eby said BC would be “restructuring significant parts of the CleanBC program.”

Meanwhile, the 2025 provincial budget forecasted rising revenue from fossil fuel and mining activity, but included little new spending on climate action.

Critics argue the government’s climate agenda is at odds with its industrial policy. At the same time it has pledged deep emissions cuts, the province has greenlit liquefied natural gas expansion and legislation aimed at expediting major resource projects.

The current review will also look at how CleanBC programs affect affordability, and explore how rebates and incentives could be used more effectively.

For now, with statutory climate targets still in place, the government faces mounting pressure to either deliver or revise its ambitions.