In search of politically achievable decarbonization pathways for British Columbia

British Columbia’s current policy package is insufficient to meet the province’s 2030, 2040, or 2050 greenhouse gas emissions targets. To design and assess different policy pathways to close this emissions gap, I used the CIMS energy-economy model. The first target-achieving pathway emphasized the carbon tax due to its economic efficiency. The second pathway tightened existing regulations with flexible compliance options, including the low carbon fuel standard, the zero-emission vehicles mandate, the clean electricity standard and the clean gas standard. I found that meeting the targets with either policy pathway results in similar technology and energy-use outcomes. This suggests that B.C. can choose to emphasize either carbon pricing, or flexible regulations to close its emissions gap. This range of options enables B.C. policymakers to consider other criteria, notably the political acceptability of their climate policy alternatives