Planning for climate justice in a zero-carbon economy
For British Columbia to meet its emissions targets and not perpetuate the climate crisis, it must phase out its fossil fuel industries by mid-century. This means strategically and thoughtfully planning for the coming energy transition, including full decarbonization of the economy by 2050 and a fair transition for workers and resource-dependent communities.
The report outlines a four-part framework for a managed wind-down in BC, which must be planned with First Nations, to phase out fossil fuel industries over the next 20 to 30 years.
Governments and industry must engage in an honest conversation about what’s needed to get to net-zero emissions by mid-century, rather than focussing on extracting and exporting as much fossil fuels as possible, the report says. The proposed wind-down approach is informed by climate justice and just transition, and the authors explain that the path forward must ensure that no one—in particular workers and communities in existing fossil fuel sectors—is left behind.
This report is part of the Corporate Mapping Project, which is jointly led by the University of Victoria, Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (BC & Saskatchewan offices) and the Parkland Institute. This research was supported by the Social Science and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC).
Attachments
Summary: Winding Down BC’s Fossil Fuel Industries
Read the news release here
