The Honourable Bernard Davis, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, is today recognizing the Global Day of Climate Action and the importance of working together to address the effects of climate change.
As of this year, the Provincial Government has implemented or taken action on all 45 items recommended in the 2019-2024 Climate Change Action Plan, with a focus on reducing greenhouse gas emissions, stimulating clean innovation and growth and building resilience to climate change impacts.
The development of two new climate change action plans are currently underway and will cover the period from 2025 to 2030. The Climate Change Mitigation Plan will focus on reducing greenhouse gas emissions in order to meet the province’s GHG reduction targets. The Climate Change Adaptation Plan will focus on actions to adapt to the impacts of climate change, such as increased flooding and wildfires. This plan will be the first stand-alone climate change adaptation strategy for the province.
The province continues to invest in programs to combat climate change. The Provincial Government has partnered with the Government of Canada to implement the Low Carbon Economy Leadership Fund and the Oil to Heat Pump Affordability Program, two multi-million dollar cost-shared agreements. These agreements have resulted in securing $157 million to implement new fuel switching and energy efficiency incentive programs over the next four fiscal years, including the new Oil to Electric Incentive Program for residential home heat.
There has also been significant investments in an electric vehicle rebate program and the development of the necessary accompanying infrastructure across Newfoundland and Labrador. As a result of this program and the province’s growing electric vehicle charging network, there has been over a 500 per cent increase in the number of electric vehicles on the road since 2019.
To support the province’s commitment to transition to a green economy, the Provincial Government has also established a Net-Zero Advisory Council, a Renewable Energy Action Plan, and a Green Technology Tax Credit.
These initiatives, combined with emissions reductions from large industry, have lowered the province’s greenhouse gas emissions to 8.3 million tonnes – the second lowest on record and well below the 10 million tonnes average of the past decade.
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“We have a shared responsibility in combatting climate change challenges and protecting our environment for generations to come. Together, we have realized significant milestones in this transition to a lower carbon economy, but there still remains a long way to go. On Global Day of Climate Action, I urge everyone to reflect on ways we can play our role in achieving a sustainable environment and a green economy in Newfoundland and Labrador.”
Honourable Bernard Davis
Minister of Environment and Climate Change
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Learn more
Climate Change Action Plan 2019 – 2024 Mid-Term Update
Electric Vehicle Rebate Program
Oil to Electric Incentive Program
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