City of Victoria to ask fossil fuel companies to pay their share of climate change costs

From fires and smoke-filled skies to hurricanes and distraught coastlines, the last few months have seen North America pummelled by the effects of climate change.

Now, the City of Victoria is making a bold move to make fossil fuel companies accountable. Following the lead of Saanich and Highlands, Victoria is about to send a “climate accountability letter” to several of the world’s largest fossil fuel companies.

Majority of Councillors Approve

City council approved a motion that not only includes the writing of the letter – asking companies such as Chevron, Shell, and Exxon to contribute their share of Victoria’s climate change costs – but also a call for other governments across Canada to do the same.

The move comes after dozens of legal and environmental groups across British Columbia urged local governments to send climate accountability letters in January.

“Community members, especially marginalized populations, are currently paying for the full costs of climate change planning and damages,” said Andrew Gage, Staff Counsel. “This isn’t our responsibility to bear alone. It’s time to start asking the tough questions about who should be shouldering the burden of climate costs.”