VANCOUVER, April 18, 2019 /CNW/ - Canada and British Columbia are working together to take climate action and help Canadians access clean solutions that reduce pollution, create good jobs, and support healthy communities.

Today, the Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Catherine McKenna, was joined by British Columbia's Minister of Environment and Climate Change Strategy, George Heyman, to announce $140 million in federal support for British Columbia's Forest Carbon Initiative and $10 million in funding for the new Organics Infrastructure Program.

The Forest Carbon Initiative aims to reforest areas lost to forest fires across British Columbia and implement best practices that support healthy, resilient, and productive forests. The program will reduce emissions and sequester carbon while supporting jobs in rural communities.

The Organics Infrastructure Program will provide funds to local governments for municipal organic-waste processing facilities in the province. The Program will help municipalities, regional districts, and self-governing modern treaty First Nations build infrastructure that will increase the diversion of organic waste from landfills and turn it into clean and useful compost.  Diverting organic material from landfills will be instrumental in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. 

The Government of Canada is supporting clean solutions to help Canadians reduce emissions. By working together, we can ensure Canadians across the country are able to protect the environment and fight climate change in a practical and affordable way.

Quotes

"We are taking real action on climate change. By pricing pollution, supporting energy-efficiency measures, and investing in our forests and in new infrastructure to manage waste, British Columbians can be proud that their governments are creating the tools needed so that everyone can play a role in reducing greenhouse gas pollution." 
– Catherine McKenna, Minister of Environment and Climate Change

"British Columbia is transitioning to a low-carbon economy, and the Forest Carbon Initiative and Organics Infrastructure Program are two great examples of how we can reduce greenhouse gas emissions while creating new, clean jobs and economic opportunities. This work and the other important actions we're leading through CleanBC are positioning British Columbia for a more sustainable future as we do our part to cut carbon pollution."
– George Heyman, Minister of Environment and Climate Change Strategy

"Through the Forest Carbon Initiative, we're working to substantially reduce carbon dioxide emissions, through a multitude of projects including restoring forests that were impacted by wildfires. Reforestation projects also support jobs in local communities."
– Doug Donaldson, Minister of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development

Quick facts

• The Government of Canada's Low Carbon Economy Leadership Fund will help make homes and buildings more energy efficient, comfortable, and affordable to run; assist companies across Canada in innovating and accessing technologies; and support the forest and agriculture sectors in enhancing stored carbon in forests and soils.
• The Forest Carbon Initiative was first launched in 2017 as a key element of British Columbia's commitment to take action on climate change. The total investment between 2017–2018 and 2018–2019 was approximately $50 million, and planned investment for 2019–2020 is almost $70 million.
• Approximately 30 percent of the Forest Enhancement Society of British Columbia projects will involve or be led by First Nations and their partners.
• The Organics Infrastructure Program will help the province achieve its target of reducing municipal-solid-waste disposal to 350 kg per capita, by reducing organic waste that goes to landfills.

Associated links

• Low Carbon Economy Fund
• Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change
• Forest Carbon Management
• Organics Infrastructure Program

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SOURCE Environment and Climate Change Canada

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