Sierra Club BC statement on International Institute for Sustainable Development fossil fuel subsidies report

“It’s dangerously misleading that a province trying to be a leader in addressing climate change is still one of the country’s top supporters of the fossil fuel industry. ​

“We’ve applauded the B.C. government for introducing CleanBC and the Climate Change Accountability Act as crucial, much-needed steps to address the climate crisis. But without ensuring the legislation includes regular reviews to bring B.C.’s climate targets in line with the science, and without shifting subsidies away from fossil fuels, B.C.’s actions will lock families into facing even worse climate risks.

“For B.C. residents and sectors of the economy who are working hard to reduce their carbon footprints, it’s dangerous and unfair of their government to be giving massive handouts to fracking and LNG companies that expand fossil fuels and add fuel to the fire of climate change. These subsidies undermine B.C.’s ability to meet climate targets, put B.C. communities at risk of worsening climate impacts, and must end.

“The risks are real. In July, the B.C. government’s preliminary climate risk assessment report showed that we’re at high risk of severe wildfire seasons, seasonal water shortages, heat waves, ocean acidification, glacier loss and long term water shortage. It spoke of ‘catastrophic’ economic consequences, loss of life and loss of social cohesion.

“We can and must expect our government to shift subsidies away from fossil fuel production and instead invest in a just transition to a clean, renewable energy economy so we can have a safe and healthy future for all.

“Sierra Club BC supports the recommendations of IISD to review and make available all data related to subsidies, create an action plan to phase out subsidies, coordinate with the Government of Canada as it reviews federal fossil fuel subsidies, and ensure no new fossil fuel subsidies are created.”

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Attachment:
International Institute for Sustainable Development report, Locked In and Losing Out: https://www.iisd.org/library/locked-in-losing-out

Media contact:
Caitlyn Vernon
Campaigns Director, Sierra Club BC
250-896-3500
caitlyn@sierraclub.bc.ca