British Columbia released its annual carbon neutral government report today - and 2012 marks the third year in a row that the provincial public sector has achieved carbon neutrality.

Carbon neutrality is about achieving net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Even with the best efforts to reduce GHG emissions, it is difficult - if not impossible - to get to zero emissions. To be carbon neutral, public sector organizations reduce emissions as much as possible each year, measure any remainder and purchase an equivalent amount of reductions/offsets to get to zero.

The B.C. government's commitment to carbon neutrality covers the entire provincial public sector including government offices, schools, post-secondary institutions, Crown corporations and hospitals.

For 2012, the provincial public sector created 845,211 tonnes of GHG emissions. Of this total, 92,913 tonnes do not require offsetting under regulation. The total offset investment was $18,807,450 for 752,298 tonnes of GHG emissions.

Through three years of carbon neutral government, there already has been an overall improvement in energy efficiency within the public sector.

For 2013, specific areas of focus will include:
Continually improving and decreasing the costs of carbon neutral government program delivery and support for the public sector.
Increasing the focus on helping public sector organizations to further reduce their GHG emissions.
Reviewing Pacific Carbon Trust and providing options for reform.

The report can be viewed at: www.env.gov.bc.ca/cas/mitigation/cnar.html