CEA and BCMCLC Host Climate Dialogue Involving Community Leaders and Government Ministers
September 22, 2025
Finding the synergy between climate action, economic strength, and community well-being – and connecting all of it to real people. This was the theme that emerged in a dialogue held today featuring seven Government of BC ministers and representatives of the BC Municipal Climate Leadership Council (BCMCLC). The meeting came at the beginning of the annual Union of BC Municipalities convention.
Topics included housing, wildfire, transportation, collaboration with First Nations, the health of local watersheds, and even the circular economy. Perspectives were shared from a variety of communities, ranging from Metro Vancouver to smaller, rural and remote communities – and both local governments and First Nations. Through it all, one theme emerged: local leaders want to work with the provincial government to bring local perspectives to policy-making and local know-how to implementation of climate solutions. This would result in bringing climate action to the level of government closest to the people.
“The dialogue reflected a desire on everyone’s part to ensure BC remains a competitive and decisive leader on climate,” says Megan Lohmann, CEO of the Community Energy Association. “This means staying committed to significant emission reductions while recognizing that related programs and policies have significant implications at the local level related to health, the local economy, and how people work together.”
Today’s dialogue is an annual event that coincides with the UBCM Convention and allows local elected officials involved with BCMCLC to meet with Government officials and share local circumstances related to climate change and how to enhance community resilience.
BCMCLC is the steering committee behind the BC Climate Leaders network of local elected officials in BC. It is one of 16 networks convened by CEA to share information within regions, among constituencies, and across different topics that are critical to local climate action and the transition to local and renewable sources of energy.
Provincial government ministers, community representatives who are part of BCMCLC, and sponsors of CEA's program for local elected officials gather at UBCM for an annual dialogue on local climate action.
