Whereasmany local governments in BC have set Greenhouse Gas GHG emission reduction targets; And whereas like other local governments, the District of Central Saanich has made progress in reducing emissions, yet has findings to indicate that heavy-duty truck emissions have increased, while there are few available local government legislative or financial powers to change this trajectory: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM call on the Province to use its financial and legislative powers to take further action to reduce the emissions from the heavy-duty trucks, which may include requiring a higher mixture of biodiesel, electrification, or further incentives to decarbonize heavy-duty vehicle fleets.
Ministry of Energy and Climate Solutions The Province of British Columbia BC recognizes the importance of reducing greenhouse gas GHG emissions from transportation as well as the need to reduce the energy intensity of goods movement. The transportation sector accounts for the largest source of emissions in BC and emissions are increasing each year. Our climate mitigation actions to reduce these emissions have a wide range of benefits and co-benefits, including improvements to air quality and health, creation of clean jobs, and economic development. To reduce GHG emissions from medium and heavy-duty MHD vehicles, the Province is taking the following actions: - Offering vehicle post-purchase rebates on qualifying zero-emission MHD vehicles through the CleanBC Go Electric Rebates Program. - Offering charging infrastructure rebates for zero-emission MHD vehicles through the CleanBC Go Electric Fleet Charging Program and the Medium and Heavy-Duty Public Charger Program. - Working with colleges to develop zero-emission vehicle ZEV-training curriculum for MHD mechanics. - Partnering with the Community Energy Association to reduce knowledge gaps and increase awareness of ZEV adoption in the MHD sector across BC by offering digital tools, outreach activities, and in-person technology demonstrations for private and public sector fleets. - Funding the CleanBC Go Electric Commercial Vehicle Pilots Program CVP which supports ZEV deployments andor infrastructure projects related to the adoption of commercial ZEVs. All projects funded through the CVP Program are required to provide telematics and operational data, which will be analyzed and shared publicly over the next two years funded by Transport Canadas Zero-Emission Trucking Program. - Bringing together the BC ZEV Advisory Council, established in 2023 and comprised of First Nations, environmental non-governmental organizations, industry, academia, infrastructure providers and local governments to collectively explore solutions to adopting ZEVs across all sectors, including MHD. - Strengthening the renewable fuel requirements in the BC Low Carbon Fuel Standard by increasing the renewable fuel target from 4 to 8 percent in the diesel fuel category, beginning in the 2025 compliance period. - Increasing low carbon fuel availability in BC e.g., biodiesel and renewable diesel through increasingly stringent Low Carbon Fuel Standard carbon intensity reduction requirements. The Province remains committed to driving down GHG emissions, ensuring cleaner air, and building a more sustainable future for all British Columbians.