Province acts to address climate change

Prince Edward Island’s plan to confront climate change is aimed at reducing greenhouse-gas emissions while steering Islanders toward cleaner, cheaper energy sources.

The target of the five-year Climate Change Action Plan is to reduce the Island’s greenhouse gases by 30 percent (below 2005 levels) by 2030.

“While Prince Edward Island is already the second-lowest emitter per capita in Canada, our government will continue to inspire Islanders to make changes in their daily lives that will help transition the province to a low-carbon, climate-resilient economy,” Communities, Land and Environment Minister Richard Brown said. “We have a real chance to be a leader in this effort because of our small size and connectedness, which allows us to work together to focus on the things that matter the most.” 

The province is partnering with the federal government to offer Low Carbon Economy Fund programs to help Islanders make the changes necessary to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions.

“The City has been working to improve energy efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions in our facilities for the last number of years,” said Mayor Clifford Lee. “Over the past several months, we have begun the process of developing a community-wide greenhouse gas emissions reduction strategy for the City of Charlottetown. We see ourselves as a key stakeholder and partner in the Province’s Climate Change Action Plan and will be working to meet our own targets and to support the Provincial goal of reducing the Island’s greenhouse gas emissions by 30 percent by 2030.”

The provincial government’s balanced 2018-19 operating budget took a first step toward making cleaner energy more affordable for Islanders. The budget provides rebates on the provincial HST on residential electric bills and on lower-emitting heat sources such as firewood, pellets, and propane. 

“A successful plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions requires a commitment from every individual in our province,” Minister Brown said. “I look forward to working with Islanders to make our homes and businesses more energy efficient, to innovate in our industries and expand our forests, and to build a more secure future for Prince Edward Island.”

Media contact:
Kim Devine
kmdevine@gov.pe.ca