Government Sets New Goals For Environment, Prosperity
Environment and Labour (to April 1/08)
March 22, 2007 2:25 PM
Nova Scotia aims to be internationally recognized for having one of the cleanest and most sustainable environments in the world by 2020.
An Act Respecting Environmental Goals and Sustainable Prosperity was introduced today, March 22, by Mark Parent, Minister of Environment and Labour.
"This act builds on some of the best work government and the private sector have done on the environment and the economy in the past few years," said Mr. Parent. "This act recognizes that our environmental assets are the foundation of our long-term prosperity."
The act features more than 20 objectives to help Nova Scotia become cleaner and more sustainable.
Objectives include:
-- reducing greenhouse-gas emissions to 10 per cent less than 1990 levels, which is 35 per cent lower than projected 2020 levels;
-- adopting emission standards for new motor vehicles by 2010;
-- implementing a policy preventing net loss of wetlands by 2009;
-- developing and adopting a sustainable procurement policy for government by 2009;
-- ensuring 18.5 per cent of electricity will come from renewable sources by 2013; and
-- legally protecting 12 per cent of the province's land mass by 2015.
"Our government believes that the economy and the environment are inextricably linked," said Mr. Parent. "The only way to ensure Nova Scotia has a sustainable economy is to have a clean and healthy environment."
The act commits to raising Nova Scotia's economic performance to the Canadian average or better by 2020.
"We will be achieving these goals through Nova Scotia's economic growth strategy, entitled Opportunities for Sustainable Prosperity," said Mr. Parent.
Nova Scotia will be one of a few provinces in Canada that has specific requirements for reporting environmental progress. The progress will be reported annually to the public.
FOR BROADCAST USE:
Nova Scotia aims to be internationally recognized for having
one of the cleanest and most sustainable environments in the
world by 2020.
An Act Respecting Environmental Goals and Sustainable
Prosperity was introduced today (March 22) by Minister of
Environment and Labour Mark Parent.
The act features more than 20 objectives to help Nova Scotia
become cleaner and more sustainable, including, reducing
greenhouse-gas emissions, adopting emission standards for new
motor vehicles and implementing a policy of preventing net loss
of wetlands.
-30-
Media Contact: Janet Lynn McNeil
Environment and Labour
902-424-7420
E-mail: mcneiljl@gov.ns.ca
Nova Scotia aims to be internationally recognized for having one of the cleanest and most sustainable environments in the world by 2020.
An Act Respecting Environmental Goals and Sustainable Prosperity was introduced today, March 22, by Mark Parent, Minister of Environment and Labour.
"This act builds on some of the best work government and the private sector have done on the environment and the economy in the past few years," said Mr. Parent. "This act recognizes that our environmental assets are the foundation of our long-term prosperity."
The act features more than 20 objectives to help Nova Scotia become cleaner and more sustainable.
Objectives include:
-- reducing greenhouse-gas emissions to 10 per cent less than 1990 levels, which is 35 per cent lower than projected 2020 levels;
-- adopting emission standards for new motor vehicles by 2010;
-- implementing a policy preventing net loss of wetlands by 2009;
-- developing and adopting a sustainable procurement policy for government by 2009;
-- ensuring 18.5 per cent of electricity will come from renewable sources by 2013; and
-- legally protecting 12 per cent of the province's land mass by 2015.
"Our government believes that the economy and the environment are inextricably linked," said Mr. Parent. "The only way to ensure Nova Scotia has a sustainable economy is to have a clean and healthy environment."
The act commits to raising Nova Scotia's economic performance to the Canadian average or better by 2020.
"We will be achieving these goals through Nova Scotia's economic growth strategy, entitled Opportunities for Sustainable Prosperity," said Mr. Parent.
Nova Scotia will be one of a few provinces in Canada that has specific requirements for reporting environmental progress. The progress will be reported annually to the public.
FOR BROADCAST USE:
Nova Scotia aims to be internationally recognized for having
one of the cleanest and most sustainable environments in the
world by 2020.
An Act Respecting Environmental Goals and Sustainable
Prosperity was introduced today (March 22) by Minister of
Environment and Labour Mark Parent.
The act features more than 20 objectives to help Nova Scotia
become cleaner and more sustainable, including, reducing
greenhouse-gas emissions, adopting emission standards for new
motor vehicles and implementing a policy of preventing net loss
of wetlands.
-30-
Media Contact: Janet Lynn McNeil
Environment and Labour
902-424-7420
E-mail: mcneiljl@gov.ns.ca