INFORMATION BULLETIN

2010ENV0036-000689 June 30, 2010

Ministry of Environment

 

B.C. POISED FOR A NORTH AMERICAN FIRST:
CARBON-NEUTRAL PUBLIC SECTOR

 

VICTORIA – John Yap, Minister of State for Climate Action today released the Carbon Neutral Update 2009 that showcases the Province’s actions to become North America’s first carbon-neutral public sector.

 

The Carbon Neutral Update 2009 highlights some of the thousands of activities that public-sector organizations have taken to reduce carbon pollution and save money. Many come at little or no cost to the taxpayer.

 

The government has a legally binding commitment to become carbon neutral for 2010 under the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Targets Act. The carbon-neutral commitment covers close to 300,000 staff and 1.6 million students. 

 

The report includes GHG emissions associated with core government business travel for Jan. 1 through Dec. 31, 2009, and the offsets purchased from the Pacific Carbon Trust to achieve carbon-neutral business travel.

 

Supporting the 2009 update are individual carbon-neutral action reports for each of the 152 public sector organizations covered by the commitment. Carbon-neutral organizations include core government, Crown corporations, boards of education, universities, colleges and health authorities.

 

To view the Carbon Neutral Update 2009, visit:

http://www.livesmartbc.ca/government/neutral_action_reports.html.

 

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Media Contact:

Suntanu Dalal Media Relations Ministry of Environment 250 387-9745

 

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