Federal government releases new climate plan

K’JIPUKTUK (HALIFAX) - The federal climate plan, A Healthy Environment and a Healthy Economy, comes at a time when we have no other choice but to put forward bold action. In Atlantic Canada, we are already experiencing the impacts of the climate crisis with flooding, accelerated coastal erosion, extreme weather events, and the associated health risks.

“We at Ecology Action Centre are overall pleased that the federal government has remained focused on creating a plan to address the climate crisis,” says Kelsey Lane, Transportation and Climate Policy Coordinator with EAC. “Of particular importance to Atlantic Canada, the plan includes support for increased renewable power generation, support for rural and indigenous green infrastructure, and will create Canada’s first-ever National Adaptation Strategy that would help address the risks of coastal erosion and flooding. The plan also ramps up the cost per tonne of carbon to $170 by 2030.”

However, EAC feels the plan lacks a clear commitment to move away from subsidizing the oil and gas sector, a strategic transition for workers or a climate target that is aligned with what science has determined is needed to mitigate catastrophic impacts of climate change.

The federal government outlines 62 new measures and to achieve our emissions reduction target of 32% to 40% below 2005 levels. However, additional support from the provinces and territories will be crucial if we are to limit global warming to 1.5ºC.

In Nova Scotia, addressing climate change brings immense opportunity. A report commissioned by the EAC in 2019 shows that strong provincial climate targets are associated with 15,000 jobs per year in the green economy by 2030 and the activities of the proposed goals will add $9.8 Billion in GDP to the province.

“This is potentially the most important climate plan in our history, and we can’t afford to table a plan that is anything less than our best effort,” states Lane. “Yet, we know overcoming tremendous challenges require tremendous levels of cooperation. We hope Nova Scotia comes to the table to do our part to help Canada take meaningful climate action.”

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