FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

UNCEDED xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (MUSQUEAM), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (SQUAMISH) AND səlilwətaɬ (TSLEIL-WAUTUTH) TERRITORIES/VANCOUVER – The BC Climate Emergency Campaign’s annual Progress Report warns that emissions from British Columbia’s liquefied natural gas (LNG) industry will nullify climate initiatives in other sectors of the economy, as the Province earns failing grades for its progress on eight of 10 urgent actions. This is the worst performance since reporting began in 2022.

Sierra Club BC contributed to the report that is being endorsed by over 600 groups including healthcare workers, businesses and agricultural organizations calling on the B.C. government to implement the 10 urgent actions that can help address the climate emergency. Together, our groups represent 2.2 million people across the B.C.

“The BC government is backtracking on climate action and it is making life more unaffordable for everyday British Columbians,” says Tracey Saxby, marine scientist and lead author of the report. “British Columbians are already experiencing immense financial, social, and health burdens due to climate change and climate pollution is set to increase by more than 30 percent, exclusively because of the Province’s support for the risky, boom or bust LNG industry. We need to stop adding more fuel to the fire.”

As LNG expansion continues, domestic utility bills also climb, with households in British Columbia now paying 11 percent more in gas bills to FortisBC in 2026, following last year’s 18 percent rate hike—an increase of nearly one-third over two years.  

In British Columbia, there are five approved LNG export projects underway: one in operation, two under construction, and another two that are fully permitted but proponents have yet to decide whether they will finance and construct the projects. Ottawa has referred two of these projects—LNG Canada 2 and Ksi Lisims LNG, as well as the North Coast Transmission Line—to the Major Projects office. 

Combined, British Columbia’s LNG projects will produce the equivalent of one-third of the province’s current yearly greenhouse gas emissions, releasing 20 million metric tons of pollution into airsheds across the province every year. An additional 130 million metric tons will be released annually into foreign jurisdictions where the BC-produced LNG is burned, according to provincial government documents. At the same time, the BC government claims it plans to lower emissions by 21 million tonnes by 2030. 

According to the most recent federal data, British Columbia reduced its emissions 1.8 percent (or 1.1 million tonnes) to 60.4 million tonnes in 2023, which contributed to a 3.7 percent reduction (or 2.3 million tonnes) from 62.7 million tonnes 2007, the baseline year against which progress is measured. 

“B.C. is not on track to meet its climate targets as climate pollution has plateaued for the last 20 years. Pollution from approved LNG exports will cancel out climate action in all other sectors, increasing the Province’s emissions by 10 times more than CleanBC’s policies have reduced them,” says Saxby.

The BC government anticipates natural gas royalties, including those from LNG, to reach $1.2 billion in 2026-2027, on par with what the Province spent in 2023 fighting wildfires, which are exacerbated by producing and burning fossil fuels. At the same time, the Province has slashed its budget for Emergency Management and Climate Readiness by three-quarters to $125 million per year.

“The B.C. government must ensure that public dollars deliver public benefits, especially when situations are challenging,” says Saxby. “LNG does not generate real revenue for residents in British Columbia because it’s not economically viable. Royalties from LNG are offset by the significant financial support the BC government gives to the industry, which relies on these massive taxpayer handouts. Meanwhile, climate pollution from LNG is exacerbating local climate damages far beyond whatever public dollars it may contribute to government coffers.” 

Emiko Newman, coordinator of the BC Climate Emergency Campaign, asks: “Does the BC government want to be a climate villain or a climate leader? We believe that a fair and fossil-free future is possible and that we can build a prosperous, healthy, and safe British Columbia, together. We’re calling on the BC government to roll up their sleeves and get to work.”

ADDITIONAL QUOTES

Grand Chief Stewart Phillip, Union of BC Indian Chiefs 
“The Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs has been gravely concerned with the dangers of the climate emergency for many years. Failure to act on it is not only a policy failure but a moral failure. It’s time to stop following the rhetoric of these oil and gas companies and follow the lead of First Nations who are doing the work to protect our lands, our waters, and our collective future. The Province of B.C. continues to promote the expansion of LNG while taking steps back on climate action. The time for a strong stance on climate change will always be now, we owe it to our children, grandchildren, and all future generations.”

Thomas Green, ecological economist and Senior Manager of climate solutions, David Suzuki Foundation
“We’re heading into a global LNG glut, not a shortage. Expanding B.C. LNG export capacity increases exposure to an increasingly crowded, volatile market while emissions from burning that gas abroad worsen climate disruption and erode economic opportunity through floods, fires, and rising insurance and disaster costs. It’s high exposure with diminishing returns, with economic benefits siphoned off by foreign companies. This report is spot on in warning British Columbians that LNG is a poor choice.”

Thomas Green, ecological economist and Senior Manager of climate solutions, David Suzuki Foundation
“We’re heading into a global LNG glut, not a shortage. Expanding B.C. LNG export capacity increases exposure to an increasingly crowded, volatile market while emissions from burning that gas abroad worsen climate disruption and erode economic opportunity through floods, fires, and rising insurance and disaster costs. It’s high exposure with diminishing returns, with economic benefits siphoned off by foreign companies. This report is spot on in warning British Columbians that LNG is a poor choice.”

Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment 
“Continuing to expand the fracking and LNG industry in BC without proper study or management of local health impacts from its pollution will not only increase the significant risks of climate change to health across the province, but also result in harms to local communities and healthcare access. We must chart a steady course away from fossil fuels, and rapidly transition to an economy based on clean energy, to prevent escalating cases of asthma, heart disease, adverse pregnancy outcomes and cancer. The viability of our healthcare system depends on it.”

-30-