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Total emissions up in B.C.

The Province of B.C. released its annual Greenhouse Gas Inventory on Tuesday, and discovered that total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions were up one per cent to 68.7 megatonnes province-wide from 2007 to 2008.

The Province of B.C. released its annual Greenhouse Gas Inventory on Tuesday, and discovered that total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions were up one per cent to 68.7 megatonnes province-wide from 2007 to 2008.

The province's goal is to reduce GHG emissions by 33 per cent below 2007 levels by 2020 and 80 per cent below by 2050.

While emissions were up, Minister of State for Climate Action John Yap said he was encouraged by the result.

"We're seeing encouraging signs in several sectors, and we expect to see emissions decrease in coming years as the policies we've implemented take hold in the transition to a low-carbon economy."

The Greenhouse Gas Inventory Report groups emissions into six sectors, including energy, industry, product use, agriculture, waste and forestation. The report noted that B.C. currently ranks fourth lowest in Canada for per capita emissions, behind Quebec, Prince Edward Island and Ontario. In 2008, British Columbians emitted 15.7 tonnes of GHG per capita, which is lower than the 16.9 tonnes per capita reported in 1991.