Web Archive
November 20, 2008
For immediate release
Energy and Climate Plans Released
Environment, Energy & Forestry
In the Legislature Thursday, the Honourable George Webster, Minister of Environment, Energy and Forestry, tabled two reports – Prince Edward Island Energy Strategy Securing our Future: Energy, Conservation and Renewables and Prince Edward Island and Climate Change: A Strategy for Reducing the Impacts of Global Warming – that set the course for government to address the issues of climate change and energy policy.
“These two reports reflect extensive consultation with the general public, with experts, with environmentalists and with the capable staff of my department and other government departments,” said Minister Webster.
“Climate change adaptation and energy policy are two issues where government must strike a careful balance. We have to do what we can today to reduce our impact on our climate but, at the same time, we recognize that the Island has to prepare itself to adapt to the effects that come with climate change. It is a similar situation when speaking about our future energy supply and needs. We must balance the need for a reliable energy supply with the need to obtain energy that is economically and environmentally sustainable.”
The Climate Change Action Plan calls for measures – including emission standards, renewable energy and biofuel standards – aimed at cutting greenhouse gas emissions.
In preparing to adapt to the effects of climate change, the provincial government will start by creating an inter-departmental working group tasked with identifying and managing climate-related risks.
The energy strategy underscores the role of the provincial government in implementing energy efficiency and conservation measures, promoting renewable energy and the use of biofuels, encouraging new economic and development opportunities, and raising public awareness and education.
The strategy recommends over 35 government actions to ensure the long-term energy security and sustainability of Prince Edward Island.
The minister said the recommendations will call on government to improve its own performance but also to develop programs and incentives that move the whole Island community toward more climate-friendly practices. Public education and awareness campaigns will be central to involving all Islanders in this work.
“As one of the places which climate change will heavily impact, Prince Edward Island needs to take this challenge very seriously. We also have to recognize that climate changes seem almost inevitable despite our best efforts and that, as a community, Prince Edward Island has to develop an adaptation plan to keep the cost of climate change from being greater than it needs to be,” said Minister Webster.
“This Action Plan has the support of government and we will begin working now on addressing the serious issue of climate change.”
Link to Reports:
Prince Edward Island Energy Strategy ~ Securing our Future: Energy, Conservation and Renewables
www.gov.pe.ca/photos/original/env_snergystr.pdf
Prince Edward Island and Climate Change ~ A Strategy for Reducing the Impacts of Global Warming
