Climate Change Action Plan Process
On April 1, 2008, government created a new department of Environment. At that time, the Climate Change file moved from the Department of Energy to this new department. The Climate Change Action Plan will focus on reducing greenhouse gas emissions and adaptation.
Prior to April 1, 2008, the Department of Energy was working on the renewal of Nova Scotia's Energy Strategy, and creation of a Climate Change Action Plan.
During that time The Department of Energy produced two documents:
- A background paper to guide Nova Scotia’s Climate Change Action Plan and
- Consultation Paper: Nova Scotia's Renewed Energy Strategy
Les deux documents peuvent être consultés en français.
- Document de travail en vue de l'élaboration du plan d'action sur les changements climatiques en Nouvelle-Écoss et
- Document de consultation: Stratégie de l'énergie renouvelée
Both documents share the same goal - to meet the 2020 deadline for cutting our greenhouse gas emissions to 10 per cent below 1990 levels while continuing to see our economy grow.
Public consultation
In November and December, Dalhousie oceanographer Bob Fournier facilitated 13 public consultation workshops to obtain public comments on the renewed energy strategy and Climate Change Action Plan. More than 250 people took part in workshops held across the province.
Energy department staff also met with 19 stakeholder groups, including energy producers, major energy consumers, and environmental advocacy organizations. The department encouraged groups and individuals to make written submissions about the energy strategy renewal. We received 145 written submissions.
What happens now
Staff from the departments of Envrironment and Energy, as well as, other government departments are now studying all the written submissions and reviewing the comments from the consultation workshops. These will assist greatly in the completion of the Renewed Energy Strategy and Climate Change Action Plan.
