Environment Ministers to Meet in Halifax

Environment Minister Gordon Wilson will host a meeting of the Canadian Council of Ministers of Environment in Halifax Thursday, June 27.

“Nova Scotia is a national leader in environmental protection and these meetings offer an opportunity to celebrate and share our successes,” said Mr. Wilson. “I look forward to welcoming my colleagues from across the country for a productive meeting in our beautiful province.”

Agenda items include addressing plastic waste, natural infrastructure, climate change adaptation and disaster mitigation.

Nova Scotia is a national leader in fighting climate change. Having met the national 2030 target 14 years early, Nova Scotia now aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 45 to 50 per cent below 2005 levels by 2030. This is one of the most aggressive targets in the country.

Nova Scotia is also at the forefront in solid waste management. It is the only province that bans recyclable materials and organics from landfills. It has the lowest disposal rate per capita in the country.

Other highlights of Nova Scotia’s environment record include:

• reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 31 per cent since 2005
• currently using 30 per cent renewable energy to generate electricity and on track for more than 40 per cent next year
• only province with a Coastal Protection Act specifically focused on protecting the coast

“We will discuss environmental challenges that we all face,” said Mr. Wilson. “I’m confident there are ways to tackle these challenges together.”