British Columbia has a chance to lead in net-zero energy and the economy for a resilient future. In 2024, these leadership roles are intertwined. Although climate policy is also energy and economic policy, there needs to be a comprehensive strategy that balances environmental sustainability and economic growth. Regions embracing the net-zero energy economy will thrive, while others risk losing investments to more innovative competitors. B.C. excels in linking climate and energy policy, and there are many reasons to be bold and continue advancing towards reliable, sustainable, and affordable low-carbon energy, the backbone of a 21st-century economy.
B.C. is uniquely positioned in North America for decarbonization. The province’s electricity grid, dominated by hydro and renewable energy, supplies local communities and industries and exports power. The three main GHG-emitting sectors—transport, buildings, and oil and gas—each have cost-effective decarbonization solutions using existing technology.
In summer 2024, the Pembina Institute briefed all political parties in B.C., highlighting critical areas for the next government: aligning an energy plan with climate targets, promoting zero-emission transportation and climate-resilient buildings, reducing oil and gas emissions, expanding the clean electricity supply, addressing embodied carbon, ensuring an equitable transition, and enabling remote communities to generate clean energy.
The next government must also evaluate energy resources and decide which can best meet growing demands. The most cost-effective way to meet this demand is by reducing waste through energy efficiency and demand response. Known as demand-side management, savings from energy-inefficient buildings and industrial processes free up grid capacity for other uses. An efficiency-first approach, combined with investments in flexible transmission and renewables, can support rising demand affordably and reliably.
