by Steve Randall  |  11 Feb 2020  |  from repmag.ca

Making British Columbia greener and sustainable is the focus for a renewed council of advisers who will help the province achieve its green agenda.

The independent council replaces the previous one, whose mandate was completed at the end of 2019, with the aim of ensuring prosperity for the province’s businesses while addressing the urgent climate change crisis.

Members of the Climate Solutions Council were announced by George Heyman, Minister of Environment and Climate Change Strategy, at GLOBE 2020 – a sustainable business and innovation summit focused on climate action.

“As part of our commitment to action and accountability on climate change, this new group of independent advisors will strengthen our CleanBC plan to build a cleaner future and improve peoples’ lives here in B.C.,” Heyman said. “Their extensive experience and perspectives will help us expand and improve on the significant actions taking place through CleanBC, while supporting B.C. businesses as they reduce their carbon footprint and keeping daily life more affordable for the rest of us.”

The council will look at measures such as a drive towards electric vehicles, greener heating for homes, reducing greenhouse gases produced by buildings,  and investment in public transportation.

“People want to spend less time in traffic and more time with their friends and families,” said Claire Trevena, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure. “They want faster, more affordable and cleaner transportation options. With CleanBC, we are supporting these goals by investing in public transit, active transportation and one of the most extensive electric-vehicle charging networks in the country.”