Review of CleanBC’s Policies and Programs: Our Point of View
Submission to the CleanBC Review Process
The Province is launching an independent review of CleanBC programs to ensure they are effectively reducing emissions, making life more affordable, and supporting a strong economy. Two independent climate policy experts, Merran Smith and Dan Woynillowicz, are leading the review. They want to hear from people across the province to learn what’s working well, what could be better, and what more can be done. The following is the response NCAH submitted as part of the engagement process. Thank you to NCAH Board Director Zack Simon for leading the creation of this response.
Here in British Columbia, we’re facing a defining choice: double down on fossil fuel technologies, or take bold leadership in real climate solutions. Nanaimo Climate Action Hub strongly urges the next version of CleanBC to prioritize truly sustainable strategies rooted in protecting ecological integrity, bolstering economic resilience, and following scientific consensus.
Carbon Capture and Storage (CCUS) is not a viable climate strategy — it’s expensive, unproven, and promoted by the fossil fuel industry as a smokescreen. True emissions reductions need to come from decarbonizing through prioritizing renewable energy and mass electrification, large-scale ecosystem restoration and protection, and land-use reform, including carbon storage in biologically diverse forests, wetlands, and grasslands — not underground caverns.
Biomass and wood pellets are not “carbon neutral.” Their use only accelerates emissions and undermines biodiversity. We must transition from monocrop plantations to regenerative models that maintain timber yields while restoring ecosystems and acting as long-term carbon sinks.
LNG and RNG are not climate solutions. According to a new study by Cornell University, these fuels rival coal in terms of pollution. Small-scale RNG may come to serve niche industrial uses, but we need to phase out LNG and prioritize renewable power immediately, which is already cheaper per kWh than fossil fuels.
Hydrogen has promise—but only if it’s “green”. Most hydrogen today is derived from fossil fuels (“blue” or “grey”), with emissions either directly released or partially “captured.” CleanBC should support hydrogen investment only when produced by renewable energy.
Transportation policy must move beyond cars. Invest in electrified public transit, safer pedestrian and cycling infrastructure, and community design that supports density and walkability. Prioritize rail and shipping over trucking wherever possible.
New buildings must be zero-emission by default. No new gas hookups. Focus instead on heat pumps, passive solar design, and envelope efficiency, with green roofs, rain gardens, and plenty of native trees to help insulate buildings and manage stormwater naturally.
Low-carbon building materials must go beyond mass timber. Durable, fire-resilient materials with lower life-cycle emissions such as next-generation cements will serve us better long term, and avoid putting more pressure on our already depleted forests.
Adaptation and resilience are vital, but cannot replace mitigation. CleanBC should lead with rapid electrification and prioritizing nature-based solutions in land management policy.
The forestry, agriculture, and aquaculture industries must transition toward ecological models. Regenerative forestry, perennial agriculture, aquatic restoration, and ecosystem-first practices support both long term financial stability of communities and stability of ecosystems.
In short: there is no room for fossil fuels, biomass, or speculative technologies like CCUS in our climate future. CleanBC must align with real solutions, not greenwashing, and focus on policies that serve people, climate, and ecosystems — now and for generations to come.