Transportation

Transportation connects us to the world, but it’s also our single largest source of pollution.

Transportation is the main driver of climate change in B.C.

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The six lanes of the Ironworker's Memorial bridge in Vancouver are full of internal combustion vehicles heading to and from the North Shore.

Tracking pollution from transportation

Transportation caused 26% of B.C.'s total climate pollution in 2020.

Transportation caused 26% of B.C.’s total climate pollution in 2020.

Data from the provincial inventory

Breaking down pollution from transportation

We measure climate pollution caused by operating:

  • Passenger vehicles like cars, trucks, ATVs and motorcycles
  • Trains and heavy-duty trucks that move goods
  • Off-road vehicles like those used by farms and mines
  • Airplanes and helicopters (within B.C.)
  • Public transit, like buses and ferries
  • Commercial and recreational boats
Learn how B.C. tracks climate pollution
Breakdown of climate pollution from transportation in B.C. in 2020: 35% from light-duty vehicles like cars, trucks and SUVs. 33% from heavy-duty trucks. 15% from off-road and industrial vehicles. 8% from rail. 5% from domestic aviation. 4% from marine.

Reducing pollution from transportation

Reducing climate pollution from transportation has many benefits. It will lead to cleaner air, less congestion, better health, more clean jobs and a stronger economy.

Our goal is to reduce climate pollution from transportation by 27-32% by 2030.

Learn how B.C. sets climate goals
Climate pollution from transportation was around 16 megatonness of carbon dioxide equivalent in 2005. It went down to just over 14 megatonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent in 2015. It is likely to increase to over 18 megatonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent around 2025. Our goal is to decrease our climate pollution to below 12 megatonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent by 2050.
Flooding washed out parts of Highway 97C through the Fraser Canyon in November 2021.

Getting roads ready for climate change

We’re strengthening highways and resource roads so they won’t be washed out by future floods.

Explore everything B.C. is doing to make transportation better

B.C. is taking action

Learn how B.C. is improving vehicle efficiency while making it easier for people to drive less or drive an electric vehicle.

Making electric passenger vehicles more affordable

Go Electric rebates can help individuals and businesses buy an electric vehicle.

Find passenger vehicle rebates.

Making our fuel cleaner

We’re setting stricter emissions standards and penalties so that using fuel creates less carbon.

Learn more about the Low Carbon Fuel Standard.

Making it easier to get around without your own vehicle

Move. Commute. Connect. is B.C.’s active transportation strategy. It was launched in 2019 as a long-term strategy to help more people use active transportation more often.

Read the strategy [PDF].

See more initiatives