Department of Environment
 
Environment
Action on Climate Change is a shared responsibility


What is climate change?

Climate change is being caused by an increasing concentration of greenhouse gases (GHGs) in the Earth’s atmosphere. The atmosphere creates a natural greenhouse effect that sustains life on this planet. Greenhouse gases, including carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), and nitrous oxide N2O), have been released to the atmosphere. In the past 100 years, concentrations of these GHGs have been increasing in the atmosphere at rates unprecedented in the planet’s history from the burning of fossil fuels, from landfills and from land-use activities. Global temperatures have begun to increase as a consequence and global weather patterns are changing.

What are the effects of climate change in New Brunswick?
  • The frequency of winter thaws and intense precipitation events has increased.
  • The snow pack in the northern part of New Brunswick has decreased by 25% over the last 30 years, while the southern part of the province has shown a decrease of about 50%.
  • The sea level has risen by about 30 centimetres in New Brunswick in the past 100 years. By 2100, a further rise of 50-60 cm is forecasted.


Where do greenhouse gas emissions come from in New Brunswick?

What's in the plan?

New Brunswick-led initiatives will result in greenhouse gas emission reductions of 5.5 megatonnes (millions of tonnes, Mt) annually in 2012. The plan includes actions in the following areas: Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency; Transportation; Waste Reduction and Diversion; Industrial Sources; Government Leading by Example; Adaptation; and Partnerships and Communication.

With the assistance of federal initiatives, this plan will result in a reduction of New Brunswick’s greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels in 2012 and position our province to realize further reductions of 10% below 1990 levels by 2020.



What will the province do to achieve its emission reduction objectives?

The New Brunswick Climate Change Action Plan both focuses on actions that reduce our current GHG emissions and adopts measures for managing future emissions, through :

Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

Energy in the form of electricity and heat accounts for over half of New Brunswick’s greenhouse gas
(GHG) emissions. Increasing energy efficiency and producing and using renewable energies can
significantly reduce GHG emissions.

The Province will:
  • Expand energy efficiency programs and initiatives for New Brunswick homes, businesses and industries;

  • Adopt an energy performance standard that goes beyond the federal Canadian model building energy code, for both new and renovated buildings in the residential and commercial markets, to be implemented in increments beginning in 2009;
  • Introduce energy efficiency standards to Energy Star levels, for appliances and equipment sold in the Province in a managed and phased approach consistent with the availability of these products in the
    marketplace;
  • Adopt an off-electricity heating strategy for residential and commercial buildings that will include the use of low-GHG technologies and eliminate the installation of new electric baseboards whenever
    alternatives are available;
  • Undertake a study of the feasibility of constructing new small-scale hydroelectricity generation projects;
  • Assess and foster development of a range of renewable energy generation opportunities, such as biomass, solar, wind and tidal; and
  • Implement a forest biomass policy.
Transportation

Transportation accounts for 25% of New Brunswick’s greenhouse gas emissions. By improving transportation options and helping consumers make informed decisions about vehicle and fuel usages, significant reduction gains can be achieved.

The Province will:
  • Develop, in partnership with communities and stakeholders, a provincial public transportation strategy to ensure that both urban and rural New Brunswickers have convenient alternatives to their private vehicles;

  • Develop an Intelligent Transportation Strategy to position New Brunswick as a national leader in transportation technology and also to help reduce emissions from the transportation sector;

  • Work with the trucking industry to examine opportunities for engine efficiency and aerodynamics technologies in order to reduce pollutants and greenhouse gases;

  • Partner with jurisdictions in the New England Governors and Eastern Canadian Premiers (NEG/ECP) region in implementing standards for vehicles sold in New Brunswick that are stringent with respect to energy consumption and consistent with California’s low-emission vehicle (LEV) standards;

  • Offer incentives for New Brunswickers to switch to alternative fuel and fuel-efficient vehicles;

  • Require that older vehicles meet minimum emission standards as a requirement for vehicle registration;

  • Partner in co-operation with the trucking industry and other jurisdictions to implement a strategy of limiting truck speeds to 105 km/h;

  • Encourage, through public awareness and education, the importance of anti-idling as a means of protecting public health and the environment;

  • Work with municipal associations and communities to develop a model anti-idling policy for use by local jurisdictions;

  • Encourage research and development of biofuels produced from either agricultural products such as corn, barley, or wheat, or from wood waste, which will help establish availability for this alternate fuel in the market; and

  • In co-operation with the federal government, support the use of biofuels with a view to requiring a minimum average of 5% ethanol in gasoline and 5% biodiesel in diesel fuel sold for vehicle or heating fuel use in New Brunswick.
Waste Management

Additional efforts must be undertaken to manage waste and harmful gases and to recycle goods when they are no longer needed. This helps lessen pressures on the province’s landfill sites, reduces environmental costs and creates fewer greenhouse gases.

The Province will:
  • Increase waste diversion and recycling, including the composting of waste;

  • Encourage projects that capture methane gases from landfills and produce energy, where it is feasible to do so; and

  • Review the Ozone Depleting Substances Regulation under the Clean Air Act to limit the release of replacement substances into the environment.
Industrial Sources and Future Energy Opportunities

Industrial sources account for 17% of New Brunswick’s greenhouse gas emissions. New Brunswick industries are important economic and social engines in the province. It is important that they remain economically sustainable and environmentally responsible.

The Province will:
  • Use project assessment reviews and other environmental approval processes to minimize project emissions;

  • Designate funding, through the New Brunswick Innovation Foundation, for environmentally focused research and development;

  • Develop clear protocols to ensure that all carbon credits from Crown corporations, lands and government initiatives are the property of the people of New Brunswick;

  • Work with the federal government to ensure that forest management carbon offset credit opportunities in New Brunswick are fully recognized;

  • Realize efficiencies as a result of the refurbishment of the Point Lepreau nuclear station;

  • Undertake a study to examine the feasibility of a second nuclear reactor at Point Lepreau;

  • Explore hydrogen and fuel-cell opportunities;

  • Support exploration of natural gas resources in southeastern New Brunswick;

  • Examine the feasibility of bringing natural gas to the northern part of the province; and

  • Assess the use of clean coal and carbon-sequestration opportunities.
Government Leading by Example

The Province will use the leadership position of the public sector to adopt best environmental practices within government and share lessons learned with other levels of government and the private sector.

The Province will:
  • Incorporate environmental guidelines in procurement contracts and tenders that will help create a market for environmentally preferable products;

  • Meet an Energy Star level for rated products in contracts or purchase orders for office equipment, building equipment and lighting systems;

  • Ensure that the government fleet becomes a model user of lowemission vehicles;

  • Expand the application of idle-free policies and zones for government operations;

  • Provide leadership in the introduction and use of biofuels;

  • Continue to use sustainable building practices and measure outcomes against programs
    developed and accepted by the Canada Green Building Council, such as LEED (Leadership in
    Energy and Environmental Design);

  • Continue to retrofit existing public buildings to improve energy efficiency and water conservation; and

  • Require departments to track their use of energy (including buildings and vehicles) and report to government under the Climate Change Action Plan.

Adapting to the Impacts of Climate Change

New Brunswick must climate-proof its decision-making processes. By understanding the extent of the change, the risks and the opportunities, New Brunswick can increase its awareness and understanding of
appropriate adaptation strategies and actions that can be undertaken. Climate change considerations will be incorporated into initiatives to enhance development planning, land management practices and
emergency preparedness and response.

The Province will:
  • Develop and implement an integrated provincial planning policy;

  • Implement a regulatory framework to help protect the coastal environment, infrastructure and public and private property;

  • Develop and implement a comprehensive provincial water management strategy;

  • Undertake the necessary actions to address climate change considerations through the forest management plan for 2007-2012;

  • Examine options for using abandoned farmland for agriculture and forestry purposes;

  • Assess opportunities to enhance monitoring for, and reaction to, forest fires and forest pestilence;

  • Continue to support efforts in research and monitoring to assess fisheries viability and resource risks, such as disease management in aquaculture;

  • Continue to assist the tourism industry to make informed decisions and mainstream adaptation strategies as they adapt their products and services to a changing environment;

  • Adjust the Provincial Tourism Strategic Plan to accommodate climatechange adaptation strategies and realign tourism product-development actions to reflect climate change impacts;

  • Work with the federal government and other agencies to further assess opportunities and value for forest and agricultural sequestration as part of the development and promotion of sustainable forest programs and beneficial management practices in agriculture;

  • Work with the federal government and various agencies to research opportunities for the storage of carbon through the use of underground geologic formations;

  • Encourage improved preservation and management of green spaces through the provincial planning policy initiative;

  • Partner with the federal government in opportunities to undertake a provincial risk assessment initiative within New Brunswick for the purpose of identifying risks that would be mitigated with adaptation strategies, with particular attention to coastal areas and inland waters;

  • Make investments in networks, programs and research that will facilitate better understanding of New Brunswick’s climate change vulnerabilities;

  • Identify adaptation solutions and use local knowledge to develop and integrate solutions to climate change impacts that provide value to New Brunswick communities and others;

  • Incorporate vulnerability considerations into departmental decision-making processes involving economic, social and environmental considerations in support of the public and private sectors’ development and adaptation needs; and

  • Continue to work towards a fully integrated emergency management system that optimizes resources at each level for prevention, preparedness, response and recovery, and that takes climate change impacts into account.
Partnerships and Communication

Managing our environment in a sustainable manner, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and adapting to climate change impacts are shared responsibilities that must be met through strengthened stakeholder
involvement where communities also play an important role.

The Province will:
  • Establish a formalized roundtable process, as a provincial forum with municipal associations, to promote and encourage regular dialogue and the exchange of ideas between communities and provincial officials;

  • Amend the Municipalities Act to remove barriers to municipal green energy generation;

  • Work with communities to construct their infrastructure in such a manner that it minimizes greenhouse gas emissions, reduces energy use and is designed to function in a changing climate;

  • Work with communities and planning commissions to develop effective zoning policies that take advantage of conservation design, and that adopt smart growth community-planning principles that consider climate change impacts/adaptation and emissions reductions;

  • Support the development of community-based public awareness and education initiatives that will engage New Brunswick residents in taking action to reduce emissions; and

  • Share its experience from greening of government efforts in energy management with communities in order to support and expand the use of successful practices at all levels.


For More Information


Communications and Educational Services
Department of Environment

Telephone: (506) 453-3700
Fax: (506) 453-3843
Email: information-env@gnb.ca

To find out how you can be a part of it.

New Brunswick Climate Change Secretariat
Department of Environment

P.O. Box 6000
Fredericton, New Brunswick
E3B 5H1

Telephone : (506) 453-3925 Fax : (506) 453-2265


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