CleanBC in Action
We’re making B.C. cleaner and stronger right now
and for
generations to come.
2018
November 20
Setting a new 2040 goal for electric vehicles
We committed to putting BC on a path to require the sale of all new light-duty cars and trucks to be zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) by the year 2040.
November 22
Transforming social housing across the province
Improving more than 50,000 public housing units over the next 10 years to make social housing more energy efficient, more comfortable, and more affordable.
December 5
CleanBC set
into motion
The release of our CleanBC climate plan put our province on a bold new path to reduce climate pollution, build a low-carbon economy, and make life more affordable.
Read the highlights or download the full plan.
December 18
Launching the CleanBC Communities Fund
Supporting communities to be more energy efficient and switch to clean energy — with projects like public electric vehicle charging stations, public building retrofits to improve energy efficiency, and initiatives that help reduce or eliminate diesel-powered electricity generation.
2019
February 19
Budget 2019 supports
CleanBC and makes life
more
affordable
Budget 2019 provided $902 million over three years to support CleanBC, including electric vehicle rebates, incentives for making homes and businesses more energy efficient, and providing a family of four up to $400 through the enhanced climate action tax credit.
March 13
Updating the building code
We initiated building code changes to support the safe construction of taller wood buildings —and invited eligible local governments throughout BC to become early adopters of this technology. Mass timber construction is lower-carbon than using concrete, and supports BC’s forest-dependent communities at the same time by creating a market for value-added wood products.
March 13
First Nations launch
clean-energy projects
The First Nations Clean Energy Business Fund helped to kick-start 14 Indigenous-driven clean-energy projects in 2018, with $2.49 million supporting in run-of-river hydropower, solar farms, energy-efficiency plans and numerous feasibility studies.
March 27
Talking with British Columbians about CleanBC
Minister of Environment George Heyman spoke to thousands of British Columbians across the province in a series of telephone townhalls about the CleanBC plan.
April 15
Supporting Community-owned energy projects
$650,000 was allocated to the latest round of the Community Energy Leadership Program (CELP) to help communities implement local projects such as energy efficiency or clean energy upgrades to community-owned facilities like municipal halls, band offices or recreation centres.
April 15
Engaging on an Active Transportation Strategy
for B.C.
We heard from thousands of British Columbians on how we can best promote active transportation in the province. This feedback, along with research on best practices and input from active transportation groups, transportation providers, local and Indigenous communities and an inter-ministry working group, helped us create a shared vision for active transportation.
April 26
CleanBC efficiency rebates make it easier to save energy
We expanded rebates under CleanBC’s Better Buildings program, to make it easier and more affordable for British Columbians to choose energy-saving products and save money on home and business renovations. CleanBC provides up to $14,100 for a home and up to $220,000 for a commercial business to switch to high-efficiency heating equipment and to make building envelope improvements. Details about rebates are available at BetterHomesBC.ca
April 29
New electric-ready inland ferry vessel announced for Kootenay Lake
CleanBC includes a plan to achieve full electrification of the inland ferry fleet by 2040. Together with support from the federal government, we made a first step towards fufilling this goal by procuring a new electric-ready vessel for Kootenay Lake. The new vessel will have almost twice the capacity of the MV Balfour and be able to accommodate between 50 and 60 vehicles.
May 9
Building Innovation
Fund launched
The CleanBC Building Innovation Fund provides support to manufacturers, developers, builders and program administrators for the development of advanced building technology and innovative low-carbon solutions for the places where British Columbians work and live.
May 29
All new vehicles electric
by 2040
The Zero-Emission Vehicles Act (ZEVA), passed on May 29, 2019, which means all new light-duty cars and trucks sold in the province will be clean energy vehicles by 2040, fulfilling a key CleanBC commitment.
June 17
Launch of Move.
Commute. Connect, BC’s Active Transportation Strategy
Active transportation means helping people get out of their cars, with safe, easier options for everyone. Our plan will double the number of trips taken with active transportation by 2030 and help communities build integrated and accessible active transportation systems.
Learn more about the plan or read the full strategy.
June 27
CleanBC Government Buildings Program launched
Through a combination of energy efficiency, innovative design and renewable building energy systems, the rolling five-year plan will transition courthouses, correctional centres, warehouses and ministry offices into facilities that are 80% more energy efficient by 2050.
July 2
BC Families get climate
action tax credit
Nearly 50% of B.C. families receive an increase in their climate action tax credit – which offsets B.C.’s carbon tax and helps low- and middle-income families as the Province transitions to a cleaner, greener economy. Families of four will receive up to $400 over the year, and up to $500 starting in July 2021.
July 4
Winners announced in CleanBC Better Buildings Competition
The Net-Zero Energy-Ready Challenge (NZERC) supports the design and construction of energy-efficient buildings in BC. These buildings are designed and built to be so efficient that they could meet all or most of their own energy consumption requirements with renewable energy technologies. The final 11 winning buildings, including multi-unit housing, student housing and office buildings, were awarded up to $390,000 to offset their construction costs.
July 16
12 new public EV charging stations completed
12 electric vehicle charging sites at rest areas along BC highways were completed, making it more convenient for people with electric vehicles to travel across the province. Nine of the completed sites have direct-current (DC) fast chargers that allow drivers to charge up in 30 minutes or less.
Find a map of the over 1,700 charging stations throughout the province at Plug In BC.
July 23
Preliminary Strategic Climate Risk Assessment is released
Part of CleanBC includes developing a climate preparedness and adaptation strategy, scheduled for release in 2020, to help ensure we’re prepared for changing weather and climate risks. To help inform this work, we assessed 15 climate risks and their potential consequences by 2050 in a provincial risk assessment. It is the first report of its kind in Canada to examine provincial-scale climate risks.
July 25
Over 30,000 people have their say when it comes to reducing plastic pollution
Here in BC we want to do our part to make plastic pollution a thing of the past. We asked for your thoughts on how best to do it, from bans on single-use packaging to making sure we return plastic bottles, and you answered. Find out more about the Plastics Action Plan here: cleanbc.gov.bc.ca/plastics
September 18
Four First Nations clean energy projects moving forward in 2019
Four First Nations on Vancouver Island were able to move ahead with clean-energy projects through the First Nations Clean Energy Business Fund (FNCEBF). These projects, including upgrading heating systems and developing a hybrid smart-grid solar photovoltatic and battery system, will help these communities save money while reducing air pollution.
September 24
12 communities in BC become early adopters of mass timber
Twelve B.C. communities, plus the University of British Columbia, signed on to adopt innovative and safe mass timber technology for taller wood buildings. In addition to helping to grow businesses and getting families into homes faster, mass timber construction has a reduced carbon footprint when sourced from sustainably managed forests.
September 26
New rebates for EV charging stations
Over $4 million in new CleanBC rebates to support the installation of electric vehicle (EV) charging stations at home and at work. You can now get up to $350 to install a charging station in a single-family home. At your work, condo or apartment, you can apply for a rebate of up to $2,000 per station, as well as 5 hours of free support services from an EV Charging Station Advisor. Find charging station rebates for your home or workplace now.
October 31
Launch of Heavy Duty Vehicle Efficiency Program
We partnered with the BC Trucking Association (BCTA) to deliver the heavy-duty vehicle efficiency program. The program will cost-share the purchase and installation of fuel-saving equipment for heavy-duty vehicles, which helps reduce fuel usage and carbon pollution while helping commercial truck drivers save money on fuel.
November 1
Skilling up for CleanBC
As the clean economy grows, new jobs and professions will emerge. We will need new skills for workers across the province, as well as education and training opportunities to keep up. We’re working on a CleanBC Jobs Readiness Plan to make sure we’re ready. We asked for your ideas on how to make the most of these opportunities and support clean jobs now into the future.
November 2
New renewable energy projects in remote communities
To help remote communities that are not connected to BC’s electrical grid, the Renewable Energy for Remote Communities (RERC) program earmarked up to $16.5 million for projects that will help remote communities shift to renewable energy, moving away from polluting diesel generators to cleaner energy sources. Successful funding applicants will be announced in spring 2020.
November 7
Preparing together for a changing climate
To help us develop a climate preparedness strategy, we want to know how B.C.’s changing climate is affecting you and what you think needs to be done to prepare for climate change in your community and across the province. Share your thoughts and solutions by filling out the questionnaire and joining the online discussion, from now until January 10, 2020.
November 13
Increasing use of waste wood fibre
More than $27 million in project grants, covering 38 different projects in B.C., help to increase the use of wood fibre that otherwise would have been burned as slash, reducing pollution and minimizing wildfire risks.
November 28
Climate action gets new teeth with accountability act
To make sure we stay on track to meet our climate targets, we passed new accountability legislation requiring an interim emissions target on the path to our legislated 2030 target of 40% in greenhouse gas reductions below 2007 levels. Separate sectoral targets will also be established following engagement with stakeholders, Indigenous peoples and communities throughout the province. In addition, the legislation will establish an independent advisory committee to help keep us on track as we work towards our goals.
December 4
Training program launched for EV technicians
With support from CleanBC, a new electric vehicle (EV) training program for automotive technicians has successfully completed its first pilot and will be available to the public in February. The newly developed program at the British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT) trains green fleet technicians who support the City of Vancouver’s municipal EV fleet, one of the largest in the country.
December 5
Clean Industry Fund Projects Announced
Launch of a new fund to reduce emissions and support good jobs across British Columbia -- successful projects include supporting new processing technologies at pulp and paper mills; electric generators and equipment at a mine pumping station; and processing equipment to prevent methane venting at natural gas facilities.
2020
January 30
New program helps keep organic waste out of landfills
We partnered with federal and local governments to deliver the new Organics Infrastructure Program, supporting 12 composting infrastructure projects across B.C., with more on the way. These projects will help communities keep organic waste out of the landfill, create jobs, and reduce carbon pollution.
February 10
Release of 2019 Climate Change Accountability Report
New Accountability Report on CleanBC’s first year details a wide range of initiatives to reduce carbon pollution and build a cleaner economy -- including record-setting sales of electric vehicles, increases in transit ridership, improvements in energy efficiency and emissions intensity, reduced emissions from large industry, and lower methane emissions from the natural gas sector. The report provides detailed emissions forecasts and breakdowns by sector to help guide continued emissions reductions into the future and track progress.
February 18
New CleanBC funding with Budget 2020
An additional $419 million in funding for CleanBC is included in Budget 2020, bringing the four-year total to approximately $1.3 billion. This year’s budget continues the Climate Action Tax Credit for families and adds $20 million to the Province’s program to make purchasing an electric vehicle more affordable.
February 18
New, cleaner buses will reduce air pollution
With new Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) busses on the road, the Victoria Regional Transit System joins Whistler, Nanaimo, and Kamloops to operate a cleaner CNG fleet. The buses have cleaner tailpipe emissions and reduced operational costs.
March 9
Grants will help to reduce wildfire risks in B.C.
89 local governments and First Nations throughout BC will benefit from new funding to make sure that homes, businesses, and communities are better protected against the threat of wildfires. This builds on previous investments in provincial emergency preparedness for climate risks, including flood mitigation investments in 18 communities.
June 10
First of hybrid-series vessel begins operation
BC Ferries’ newest and cleaner-operating vessel, Island Discovery, is the first of a series of hybrid-electric ships designed for future full electric operation. The ships are fitted with hybrid technology that bridges the gap until shore charging infrastructure and funding become available.
June 24
New active transportation grants across the Province
23 communities across the province will benefit from new and improved pedestrian and cycling infrastructure, with new Active Transportation Grants that help get people moving and rebuild during the COVID-19 Pandemic.
June 25
New Hydrogen Fuelling stations to roll out
The first of three new fuelling stations for hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles opened as part of the Province’s CleanBC transition to cleaner energy solutions.
July 7
Boosted climate action tax credit helps with COVID relief
More than 80% of families and individuals in British Columbia will automatically receive an enhanced climate action tax credit – with families receiving up to an additional $450 for the year. As part of B.C.’s COVID-19 Action Plan, the boost is helping make sure people and businesses have the support they need during the pandemic. The credit will be automatically applied to everyone who is eligible and who has completed their B.C. 2019 income tax return.
July 22
New clean energy community projects announced
Seven more clean energy projects in First Nations, northern and rural communities will reduce pollution and make life more affordable through the Community Energy Leadership Program (CELP).
July 27
E-bike rebates boosted during COVID-19
The Province is increasing e-bike rebates for individuals and businesses, including a rebate of $1,050 for the purchase of any type of new e-bike for people who scrap an old vehicle. Additional rebates of up to $1,700 are available for business owners toward the purchase of a cargo e-bike.
July 30
On track to getting more Electric Vehicles on the road
Regulations under the Zero-Emission Vehicles Act (ZEVA) are now in place to increase the number and type of Electric Vehicles sold in B.C. to meet consumer demand.
August 26
New affordable, energy-efficient homes coming to Port Alberni
50 new, affordable, energy efficient homes to be build and expected to open in fall 2021 in Port Alberni, as part of a partnership between the Province and the Alberni Low Energy Society.
August 31
New shoreline clean-up fund creates jobs and protects coastal waters
The Clean Coast, Clean Waters Initiative Fund helps small ship tour operators, Indigenous Nations, local communities and others participate in a $3.5-million cleanup of the shores of the central coast, including the increasing amounts of plastic waste.
September 1
New community projects will reduce pollution
Eleven communities will benefit from new projects under the CleanBC Communities Fund to reduce pollution and invest in new infrastructure.
September 1
New EV charging stations throughout the Province
Over 80 new EV charging stations to be installed across the province, funded through the CleanBC Communities Fund, the federal government’s Green Infrastructure program, and participating local governments and First Nations.
September 12
New steps to take action on plastic waste
As part of the CleanBC Plastics Action Plan – the Province approves bylaws banning single-use plastics for the municipalities of Richmond, Victoria, Saanich, Tofino and Ucluelet, clearing the way for those communities to implement their bans, and sets the groundwork to allow local governments to ban certain types of plastic products. The number of single-use products to be recycled through industry-funded residential recycling programs is expanded, including plastic cutlery, sandwich bags, stir sticks and other items. And for the first time, milk and milk-alternative containers are to be added the deposit and refund system – preventing millions of containers from polluting landfills and the environment.