The following statement was read in the House of Assembly today by the Honourable Lisa Dempster, Minister of Environment and Climate Change:

Speaker, I stand today to recognize international Earth Day, taking place April 22.

This year’s theme, Our Power, Our Planet, highlights the important role renewable energy plays in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and mitigating climate change.

Our province is a leader in renewable energy. Today, over 90 per cent of our electrical grid is renewable.

In 2023, we had the lowest levels of greenhouse gas emissions since 1994 and we are on track to meet our goal of reducing emissions by 30 per cent by 2030.

As we look to the future, expansion of the hydro power potential on the Churchill River, and the promise of wind development demonstrate our commitment to realizing the full potential of our renewable resources.

Speaker, we are working towards our goal of net zero by 2050 with supportive programs like our Climate Change Challenge Fund. We are currently reviewing applications for this program to help municipalities, non-profits, and businesses improve energy efficiency, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and spur economic growth.

I encourage everyone in this house to remember that we have just one earth. It’s incumbent on us as leaders to ensure we do our best to protect it.

Thank you.