Defending against climate impacts
Everyone wants to build a good life in B.C. But we’re facing more and more extreme weather and an increasingly unpredictable climate.
Wildfires, extreme heat, drought, and floods threaten our homes, livelihoods and health. People in B.C. are asking for action to defend against climate impacts and help people, businesses and communities to be sustainable.
That’s why we’re taking strong action to make B.C. communities stronger, cleaner, more sustainable, and safe from extreme weather and climate impacts.
Connect to support
Get help to mitigate and prepare for climate impacts
ClimateReadyBC is a one-stop online platform to help communities, organizations, and people mitigate and prepare for disasters and climate risks.
Get help to prepare for extreme weather and climate emergencies
PreparedBC offers information and resources to help you get better prepared, such as how to create a home emergency plan and build an emergency kit. Easy to read guides are available for download that will help you prepare for different types of hazards, including floods, wildfires, earthquakes and tsunamis, severe weather and power outages.
Get help with clean and efficient home energy costs
More than two million individuals and families are getting hundreds of dollars every three months through B.C.’s climate action tax credit. Save even more with programs to make your home more efficient.
Get help for your family to Go Electric for a cleaner future
Go Electric is making it easier for people and businesses to buy and own zero emission vehicles (ZEVs) of all types. The program is bringing down the price of passenger, fleet, commercial and other ZEVs. It’s making it easier to charge or fuel electric and hydrogen ZEVs. And it’s supporting research, job training, and economic development in B.C.’s ZEV sector.
Get help for your organization to Go Electric for a cleaner future
Go Electric programs can help your business, organization or local government transition to electric vehicles.
Enjoy year-round comfort with heat pump rebates
We’re continuing to make heat pumps and energy-efficient homes more affordable with up to $19,000 in heat pump rebates and up to $44,900 in total Energy Savings Program rebates.
Making life healthier and helping people travel cleaner
Pollution and climate emergencies can impact our health in a variety of ways. That’s why we’re taking action to make life healthier by reducing harmful pollution, exhaust and congestion, and helping people travel cleaner and more affordably.
Expanding access to BC Parks
We’ve taken action so that more people can experience the beauty of BC Parks by adding 1,900 new campsites since 2017.
More affordable and sustainable transportation networks
When people can walk, cycle or take transit, we all benefit from active living and a healthier climate. We made the largest single investment in active transportation in B.C.’s history in 2023 with $100 million to expand active transportation networks, and more in 2024, plus an additional $40 million will support electric vehicle projects, as more people and businesses make the switch to zero-emission vehicles.
Connecting communities with the Surrey Langley SkyTrain project
The Province has continued with its historic commitment and funding for transit infrastructure, including funding for the Surrey Langley SkyTrain project.
More buses in Metro Vancouver
To address urgent transit expansion needed by TransLink, the Province has stepped in to provide a new capital funding commitment of up to $300 million to support TransLink bus purchases.
Faster and more convenient public transit in Metro Vancouver
People in the Metro Vancouver region will soon see increased bus frequencies and longer service hours on approximately 60 bus routes, more SeaBus service on weekdays and late evening service for HandyDART customers starting in September 2024.
Faster and more convenient public transit across B.C.
Over the next three years, the government is investing $618 million to support BC Transit capital projects across the province – taking action to provide public transit solutions that connect people with their communities.
Supporting cleaner, more efficient homes and businesses
Everyone can play their part to reduce waste and pollution. But you shouldn’t have to choose between harming the environment with old, wasteful technologies and spending money you don’t have to upgrade to efficient technology. That’s why we’re supporting homes and businesses to be cleaner and more efficient, and reduce energy bills.
Keeping BC Hydro rates low
We continue to deliver affordable, clean power for British Columbians—keeping BC Hydro residential rates the second lowest in North America.
Increasing the climate action tax credit
We’re making big polluters reduce their emissions and investing in supporting people and businesses to be more energy efficient. In 2024, individuals and families also saw an increase to their quarterly climate action tax credit. If a family of four received $890 last year, they will receive $1,005, and an individual that received $447 last year will receive $504 starting in July 2024.
New BC Electricity Affordability Credit for small businesses
We’re keeping electricity rates low and delivering savings to businesses through the BC Electricity Affordability Credit, with an average credit of $400 for small business.
Building stronger, more resilient infrastructure
Extreme weather and climate impacts, like wildfires and floods threaten our homes, livelihoods and health. That’s why we’re taking action to build stronger, more resilient homes, bridges, roads, airports, ports, and transportation.
Supporting climate ready communities
Investing in climate resilient communities means getting people the emergency services and stable infrastructure they need, in the face of climate impacts. An investment of $1.1 billion will help people to build back better, and secure communities for future climate events.
Helping respond to climate emergencies
The lives of people in B.C. are now touched, every year, by climate impacts. We are taking action to mitigate and better respond to emergencies. New funding will help reduce flooding, manage water resources, bolster support for evacuees, improve prevention and response to wildfires, and protect people’s homes and livelihoods. We’re supporting year-round response and recovery programs and better coordination of vital communications that alert residents to hazards and evacuation orders.
Building better water infrastructure
Budget 2024 invests $234 million for priority infrastructure projects and programs to decrease flood risks and strengthen drought resiliency. We’re expanding the Agriculture Water Infrastructure Program to help more farmers and ranchers use water efficiently; funding 21 community water conservation pilot projects; upgrading the Barrowtown pump station in Abbotsford; replacing the 50-year old Cowichan Lake Weir; and increasing water storage capacity on Salt Spring Island.
Building new drinking water infrastructure
We’re building new drinking water infrastructure in 43 communities and piloting new tools to better gauge water use, detect leaks and identify ways to save water.
Supporting drought-affected communities
B.C. is taking an important step forward in drought preparedness by supporting a new Cowichan Lake weir, ensuring the Cowichan River continues to flow and provide a safe and reliable water supply for people, businesses, the environment and wildlife.
Using B.C.’s clean energy strength to create good jobs
With our natural resources and access to global markets, B.C. is well-positioned to be a leader in the clean energy economy. But we need to move fast to seize opportunities and secure our future. That’s why we’re leveraging B.C.’s clean energy strength to create good jobs and opportunities in every community.
Clean hydrogen energy project will create thousands of good jobs
The $7-billion net-zero emission Tse’Khene hydrogen energy hub on the Kerry Lake Indian Reserve is one of the largest Indigenous energy projects in Canada, creating 500 good permanent jobs and 1,500 construction jobs.
Powering clean transportation industries
Maple Ridge will be home to E1-Moli’s new $1-billion lithium-ion battery plant and an anticipated 450 permanent jobs.
Securing private investment in clean transportation networks
HTEC’s $900 million H2 Gateway project to build and operate a provincial network of 18 hydrogen refueling stations, with hubs in Burnaby, Nanaimo, Prince George and North Vancouver, will create more than 280 full-time jobs throughout B.C.
Strengthening northern resource economies
Prince George is a growing hub for clean hydrogen, with projects like Teralta Hydrogen Solutions’ project to power Canfor’s pulp mill.
Positioning B.C. to supply clean technology industries
We are advancing B.C. mining sector projects that provide many of the critical minerals and metals needed to power the future, like the integral components of technologies such as electric cars, wind turbines and solar power.
Jobs and opportunities in the electric vehicle sector
Electric vehicles made up nearly 21% of all new light-duty passenger vehicles sold in B.C., the highest percentage for any province or territory in Canada, enabling the now-$2 billion provincial EV sector to grow to 11,000 jobs.
Powering our economy with clean electricity
We’re leveraging B.C.’s clean energy strength by investing in solutions such as the $36-billion expansion of B.C.’s electricity system, creating upwards of 12,500 good paying jobs annually.
Leading Canada’s clean energy economy
B.C.’s clean energy strength has attracted over 50% of Canada’s hydrogen and fuel-cell companies, with more looking to invest, so businesses and communities have access to affordable, clean electricity.
New Energy Action Framework
B.C. has created a new energy action framework to ensure oil and gas sector projects fit within B.C.’s climate commitments and create new opportunities for people in clean energy and technology. It includes requiring all proposed LNG facilities in or entering the environmental assessment process to pass an emissions test with a credible plan to be net-zero by 2030 and establishing a clean-energy and major projects office to fast track investment and create good, sustainable jobs.
Partnering on clean energy solutions
We’re partnering with Indigenous communities to replace diesel power, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase energy independence for First Nations.
Protecting communities from climate impacts
We’re doing everything we can to protect people’s homes, health, communities, food, water and livelihoods from extreme weather and climate impacts.
Stabilizing revenue for farmers, ranchers and producers
We made changes to the AgriStability program to help support farmers, ranchers and producers who are experiencing revenue losses from extreme weather and market instability, expanding it to allow late enrollment, increase the compensation rate to 90%, and double the compensation cap in 2024.
Protecting our food and producers: strengthening drought preparedness
Climate change – and drought in particular – makes it tough to secure water for animals, crops and feed, and it makes food more expensive for everyone. Our government heard the call for help from farmers. This money will help build water storage and buy the equipment farmers tell us they need to keep providing the food we all depend on. B.C. farmers will be able to access an additional $80 million in funding through the Agricultural Water Infrastructure Program to make irrigation more efficient, or to build infrastructure to improve water availability and storage. These actions will benefit stream flows, fish populations and support more sustainable food production.
Protecting our food and producers: sustainable farms and ranches
New investments in the Beneficial Management Practices Program eliminated the lifetime cap on funding and supported more than 1,750 projects on B.C. farms and ranches between 2018 and 2023, to protect them from climate impacts, through waste management; air-quality control; pollution control; soil and riparian integrity; and water quality.
Protecting our food and producers: new Fraser Valley Flood Mitigation
The new $20-million Fraser Valley Flood Mitigation program makes Individual farms eligible for up to 90% funding for on-farm flood preparation and mitigation projects up to $200,000, and is supporting major Glen Valley and Salmon River, Hatzic, and Athey Road mitigation projects.
Protecting our food and producers: Extreme Weather Preparedness
The Extreme Weather Preparedness for Agriculture program aims to build a more resilient and sustainable agriculture and food sector by helping prepare for future climate events, such as wildfires, flooding and heatwaves.
Protecting our food and producers: increasing food processing production
B.C.’s Food Processing Growth Fund is helping companies, such as T-Brothers in Coquitlam and Better Seafood Supply in Victoria, increase their productivity, strengthen competitiveness and gain new economic opportunities. Twelve food processing companies have received approximately $8.4 million to grow and expand their businesses, with more companies and projects yet to receive support from the fund. Additionally, a $2.7-million commitment from the fund went to the B.C. Food and Beverage Association to develop a training curriculum to help B.C. food processors increase their growth, production and efficiency.
Protecting our food and producers: defending B.C. fruit and wine
More B.C. farmers producing grapes, cherries, tree fruit and berries will receive support to replant their vineyards, farms and orchards to make them more resilient to climate impacts. This will strengthen our economy and make sure people can enjoy local fruit and wine into the future.
Creating food security: $200 million to help farmers grow more
An historic $200 million investment in food security is ensuring people have better access to an increased supply of affordable, local food in B.C.
Creating food security: relaunching Buy BC
Since relaunching in 2017, the Buy BC Partnership Program has supported more than 400 B.C. producers, processors and associations with $12 million in their efforts to increase food sales, product promotion and food security in B.C., and more than 1,000 B.C. businesses have registered to use the Buy BC logo for more than 5,000 B.C. food and beverage products.
Creating food security: Food Affordability and Innovation Fund
The Food Affordability and Innovation Fund is providing as much as $15.5 million for the new B.C. Food Storage, Distribution and Retail Program, helping recipients improve regional distribution networks and shared storage capacity.
Creating food security: New Emergency Planning and Preparedness Fund
The new The Food Security Emergency Planning and Preparedness Fund has up to $20 million available in funding to local governments, First Nations, agriculture, agri-food and seafood associations to support the purchase, upgrading and installation of equipment and infrastructure by those who have a direct role in preparing and responding to agricultural emergencies.
Creating food security: B.C. On-Farm Technology Adoption Program
The B.C. On-Farm Technology Adoption Program provides funding of as much as $150,000 for farmers to purchase technology to enhance profitability, productivity and efficiency, and the first funded 54 projects throughout the province to purchase and install equipment, such as a soil-moisture and leaf-wetness sensor in a vineyard, automated composter for field crops and an automated water pump for a berry farm.
Creating food security: Indigenous Food Security
Launched in July 2023, the Indigenous Food Security and Sovereignty Program is supporting more than 60 projects ranging from community food security to climate adaptation to the revitalization of traditional food production.
Protecting people and communities from climate-related disasters
Investing to build back better from fires and floods, and to protect people and communities from future climate-related disasters.
Helping local government stay safe through climate impacts
Helping B.C. communities stay safe through climate impacts and build a cleaner, stronger economy for people by funding and supports for local governments to enhance climate action.
Helping communities reduce disaster risk
Providing funding to help local governments and First Nations plan for and reduce disaster risk, including through investments in the FireSmart program, the Community Emergency Preparedness Fund and support for Indigenous-led emergency management priorities.
Boosting our ability to fight wildfires: more equipment and aircraft
This year, the BC Wildfire Service will continue to upgrade its existing aviation fleet to include additional plane and helicopter agreements. This is supported by $56 million through Budget 2024. There will be an emphasis on diverse and modern aircraft that can meet the challenges of B.C.’s expansive and rugged landscape.
Boosting our ability to fight wildfires: new technology and innovation
We’ve introduced wildfire predictive technology that can produce real-time wildfire behaviour predictions based on information coming from the field.
We’re continuing to trial new night-vision technology and provide training to wildfire aviation staff to provide additional tools to BCWS’s active night-time firefighting operations. And we’ve acquired more drones and remote cameras to assist in preparedness, detection and response.
Boosting our ability to fight wildfires: stepping up prevention
In total and since 2017, more than $400 million has been invested in prevention work We’re funding projects that reduce wildfire risks near communities and important infrastructure; supporting as a tool for land stewardship and wildfire mitigation; and delivering new wildfire risk reduction projects throughout the province with additional funding announced in Budget 2024.
Boosting our ability to fight wildfires: training firefighters all year
We expanded the BC Wildfire Service into a year-round operation, and permanent full-time staff have increased by over 50% since 2022 – with more coming. And we’re attracting more applicants and leveraging their local knowledge by encouraging people to indicate where they would like to work in the province.
New Community Emergency Preparedness project
The Province is investing approximately $39 million for more than 50 local disaster-risk reduction and climate-adaptation projects through the Community Emergency Preparedness Fund (CEPF). This funding will be used by local governments and First Nations to make necessary changes, such as small-scale structural flood projects and improvements to community flood-mitigation strategies, including more accurate flood mapping.
Eliminating waste and pollution, protecting our air, land and water
Eliminating harmful waste and pollution and sustainably managing our air, land and water protects our health ensures we can continue to live off B.C.’s abundance for generations to come.
Cleaning up 6,400 KMs of B.C.’s coastlines
Since 2020, the Clean Coast, Clean Waters initiative has removed 215 derelict vessels and cleaned up more than 2,100 tonnes of marine debris from more than 6,400 kilometres of shoreline, while creating or maintaining nearly 2,400 well-paying jobs. This year’s projects are expected to clean an additional 1,900 kilometres of shoreline, remove at least 31 derelict vessels and clean at least six derelict aquaculture sites, creating 639 new jobs.
Taking more action for B.C. forests
Forests continue to contribute to our quality of life and the opportunities we share. That’s why we are taking action to improve planning, preparation, response and recovery in the face of wildfires, drought and other pressures impacting our forests. British Columbia is taking a new approach to forest stewardship that is based on planning and active forest management. We are committed to better ways of managing and caring for our forests so they can be resilient for generations to come.
Protecting old growth in B.C.
Working in close partnership with First Nations, we are conserving more old forests for our children and grandchildren while supporting sustainable local jobs. We are taking action to respond to every recommendation made in the Old Growth Strategic Review. Our action plan, From Review to Action, charts a path forward and describes the steps we have already taken to implement the recommendations.
Helping nature do its work
B.C. is planting hundreds of millions of trees every year and creating more parks to harness nature’s ability to absorb carbon dioxide. Since 2018, we have planted more than one billion trees, including 301 million this year alone.
Keeping our waters clean and protecting habitat
We’re continuing to protect salmon habitat and securing our freshwater resources, while also working with industry partners to clean up plastic debris from our beautiful coastline and ocean.
Building more with low-carbon materials
Meeting our climate goals while advancing the use of mass timber to support new jobs and long-term investments in value-added manufacturing, green building and forest sector diversification.
Tackling the big pollution sources: oil and gas
Pollution from B.C.’s oil and gas sector has gone down 13% since 2007 and 10% since 2018, while the economy and private sector jobs have grown, and B.C. wages have grown to the highest in Canada. B.C. has reduced methane emissions intensity from the oil and gas sector by over 50%.
Tackling the big pollution sources: CleanBC Industry Fund
Since 2019, the CleanBC Industry Fund had reduced nearly nine million tonnes of carbon emissions.
Protecting and enhancing our watersheds
We’ve developed a Watershed Security Strategy and invested $157M in the Watershed Security Fund and Healthy Watersheds Initiative to ensure communities can access safe, clean water for generations.
Partnering with First Nations on healthy, sustainable watersheds
The B.C.-First Nations Water Table announced an unprecedented $100-million investment in healthy, sustainable watersheds for communities throughout B.C.
Partnering with the federal government to protect land and water
We’ve secured federal funding for an historic $1 billion Nature Agreement to help conserve more waters, lands and old growth forests.
New Conservation Financing
We’re accelerating protection of B.C.’s oldest trees and rare habitats while benefiting communities and wildlife by launching a new $300-million Conservation Financing Mechanism.
Restoring salmon populations
We’re restoring iconic salmon populations to benefit the communities and fisheries that depend on them through over 100 projects, including support for hatcheries, fish friendly infrastructure and research.
Working together on conservation and protection
Supporting guardian programs with First Nations, increasing boots-on-the-ground to protect and look after B.C.’s lands, waters and forests.