Bill 44 - 2007 "Greenhouse Gas Reduction Targets Act" makes greenhouse gas reductions a legal requirement. The bill has the following three key parts:
- Sets greenhouse gas reduction targets for 2012 and 2016 by the end of 2008;
- Each public sector organization to be carbon neutral by 2010;
- General provisions which provide the framework to deal with emission offsets. The base year that will be used to measure progress in achieving the requirements is 2007.
Having 2007 as a base year may be challenging to Kwantlen as our base year for starting significant energy efficiency work and greenhouse gas reductions was 2000 and by 2007 we had already made significant reductions.
Bill 44 Targets
This bill outlines specific targets that must be achieved in 2012, 2016, 2020, 2030, 2040 and 2050.
- By 2012 - 6% below 2007 levels
- By 2016 - 18% below 2007 levels
- By 2020 - 33% below 2007 levels
- By 2030 - 40% below 2007 levels
- By 2040 - 60% below 2007 levels
- By 2050 - 80% below 2007 levels
Carbon Reporting - SMARTTool
Carbon reporting is performed by uploading our consumption information to an internet website "SMARTTool" which records consumption of energy and related consumables which are associated with Greenhouse gas emissions.
SMARTTool then calculates Kwantlen's carbon emissions which must be offset by purchasing carbon offsets. The purchase of these carbon offsets is defined as a transaction charge currently valued at $25 per tonne of C02e and will apply to emissions for 2010 and onward.
Carbon Offsets
A carbon offset represents a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions generated by activities such as improving energy efficiency that can be used to balance emissions from another source. Carbon offsets under this program up to 2014 were purchased from the Pacific Carbon Trust. As of 2015 Carbon offsets are purchased from the Province.
PSO Climate Change Accountability Report (CCAR), (Formerly, Carbon Neutral Action Report)
Another key aspect of reducing carbon emissions is the mandatory government requirement for public sector organizations to submit annual reports on actions taken and new initiatives planned to reduce carbon emission.
(See current and past reports: 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023)
