Response to Newfoundland & Labrador Public Discussion Document “Climate Change: Responding to Climate Change in Newfoundland & Labrador”

Bauer, Ilka and Bowers, W. W. and Carson, Sara and Carter, Angela V. and Daniels, Karen and Levesque, Mario and Pike, Candice and Pottle, Susan and Randell, Terry and Sabau, Gabriela (2010) Response to Newfoundland & Labrador Public Discussion Document “Climate Change: Responding to Climate Change in Newfoundland & Labrador”. Project Report. Environmental Policy Institute.

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Abstract

The international scientific community considers climate change to be one of the greatest threats of our time and to limit the very worst consequences of this problem, the global community must reduce carbon emissions steeply and immediately. Newfoundland and Labrador is already experiencing climate change impacts and the province has a responsibility to act given its major fossil fuel industry. This challenge also represents an opportunity for Newfoundland and Labrador to become a leader in addressing climate change in Canada. The province has taken important first steps and this document outlines some of the next key policy directions available to the province to reduce carbon emissions. #1. Set emissions reduction targets that respect the scientific consensus and Canada’s international commitments. #2. Put a fair price on carbon emissions. Provide market signals to encourage emission reductions via a cap and trade system. As a national or regional cap and trade system develops, implement a carbon tax. #3. Facilitate the transition to a renewable energy economy by investing in sustainable, “green” energy research and technology and by requiring energy efficiency standards. #4. Reduce energy demand through, for example, addressing the building code and vehicle standards and investing in public and alternative transit. #5. Integrate climate change considerations into land-use planning across the sectors. 5.1. Forestry: target climate change forest research and focus on broadening current forest management strategies. 5.2. Peatlands: integrate peatland carbon sequestration and storage dynamics into land use policy decisions. This includes trade-offs to be made between GHG mitigation and other policy sectors (food security, energy, economic). 5.3. Water resources: increase monitoring of ground and surface water interactions to support the water needs of natural and managed ecosystems. 5.4. Agriculture: increase research and education to facilitate adaptation and enhance agricultural productivity.

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