Ministry of Environment
Strategic Context
The Ministry of Environment plays a critical role in fulfilling the government’s environmental objectives. Trends and events within British Columbia and beyond our borders are closely linked to the achievement of these objectives. The ministry uses various strategies to identify emerging opportunities, mitigate potential risks and address changing environmental, economic and societal factors. The ministry routinely reviews and adjusts existing programs, adapts approaches, develops new initiatives and seeks opportunities for partnerships.
Environmental Factors
Pressures on the environment pose constant challenges to the ministry. To meet these challenges and respond to opportunities, the ministry must anticipate environmental trends and events.
- In British Columbia, climate change is already having far-reaching effects, impacting ecosystems and biodiversity, and increasing the risks from volatile weather patterns, warming conditions, forest fires, flooding and pest outbreaks. The Province, together with public and private organizations, is concentrating on actions to reduce provincial greenhouse gas emissions and improve the assessment of climate change impacts on B.C.
- Freshwater supply, agriculture, hydroelectric generation and fishery and ocean resources are also affected by the changing climate. There is growing concern within some communities that available water supplies could be insufficient to meet fish, human and agricultural demands. The ministry is helping communities integrate water stewardship into local planning activities to ensure the viability of local watersheds.
British Columbia is experiencing an unprecedented mountain pine beetle epidemic. The beetle has had negative regional economic
and environmental impacts and is considered a serious threat beyond B.C. Stopping the spread of the beetle, reducing fuel
on the forest floor and salvaging economic value from the affected forests are priorities for the Province. The ministry has
been actively involved in a multi-agency working group established to implement British Columbia’s Mountain Pine Beetle Action Plan 2006 – 2011.- Unpredictable events such as flooding, fire, wind and rain storms, oil spills, and contamination of food and water supplies require an immediate response and mitigation activities from the ministry and its partners. The ministry continues to focus on minimizing such risks by working with other agencies, local communities and First Nations to effectively mitigate environmental damage and risks to human health and safety.
- British Columbia is the most biologically diverse province in Canada. However, because of this, the number of species at risk1 in British Columbia is also greater than anywhere else in Canada. Currently, B.C. is home to 168 species at risk that have been listed under the federal Species at Risk Act (SARA).2 In addition, many wildlife species throughout North America are experiencing a population collapse and a reduction in range both westward and northward into B.C. These trends will increase the number of species at risk and the ministry’s responsibility for developing appropriate responses.
Societal Factors
As the population of our province grows and our demand for resources, goods and services increases, there is an ever-greater need for all British Columbians to take action to meet the challenge of protecting and enhancing our natural environment.
- Rapid population and urban growth has the potential to significantly impact the quality of our air, land and water, particularly in the southern regions of the province. Population increases put pressure on communities, resulting in greater water, land and energy consumption and discharge of pollutants into the environment. The ministry continues to seek opportunities to work with local governments and communities to address these issues.
- The products British Columbians use in their homes, yards and vehicles are major contributors to environmental pollution and climate change. Using and discarding these products irresponsibly can have lasting effects on B.C.’s air, land and water resources. Opportunities exist for the ministry to work with local governments, producers, industries, educators and the public to develop and implement sound environmental stewardship practices.
- Society expects businesses to be responsible for their actions — employing sustainable business practices while continuing to meet consumer demands. As a result, producers are beginning to respond to consumer demands for “greener” products and are creating new market niches. There is an opportunity to effectively build on this growing trend.
- Demographic and lifestyle changes are affecting how people use British Columbia’s parks and protected areas. Increasing cultural diversity and an aging population are resulting in demands for different services. Urbanization and a shift away from nature-based outdoor experiences by young people mean many people are less connected to the environment. The ministry is identifying opportunities to offer a variety of experiences in parks and protected areas that will appeal to all of these groups.
Economic Growth
- Impacts to the environment from resource use and extraction can be felt locally, regionally and internationally and can affect the ability of the Province to maintain a strong economy, sustainable growth and high quality of life for its citizens. Permitting, licensing and other similar activities, as well as less wasteful consumption patterns and more sustainable production methods, can help ensure environmental impacts can be minimized or averted.
Workforce Demographics
- The ministry continues to seek opportunities to support projects aimed at retaining our current workforce, providing young people with valuable work experience in the environmental field and attracting new workers to the range of opportunities available in government. For example, the ministry provides $3 million per year for the BC Conservation Corps program, which employs more than 150 young people every year.
| 1 | Species at risk includes those species that are categorized as extirpated, endangered, threatened or special concern. |
| 2 | The total list of species under SARA can be found at www.sararegistry.gc.ca/species/default_e.cfm. The most recent additions, which have not yet been added to this list, can be found in the Canada Gazette, Part II, Vol. 141, no. 26 (December 2007), p. 2575 at canadagazette.gc.ca/partII/2007/20071226/pdf/g2-14126.pdf. |
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