Dealing With Climate Change Involves Stakeholders

Stakeholder participation is crucial in developing strategies to deal with climate change, says Environment Minister Don Downe.

Speaking to a group gathered in Halifax for a conference on Greenhouse Gas Reduction Opportunities, Mr. Downe said governments play an important leadership role, but the process must involve others.

"This is an issue that has global impact," said the minister. "Here in Canada, the National Climate Change Process engages all levels of government, but involvement from stakeholders is essential and partnerships are necessary if we are to act on this issue effectively."

Mr. Downe is just back from last week's meeting of the Canadian Council of Environment Ministers in Inuvik. There, he identified climate change as a key issue of concern for Nova Scotia and spoke out in strong support for national agreement to deal with this issue.

"There is growing consensus within the scientific community that climate change is occurring and that human activity is a major factor," said Mr. Downe. "Now we must recognize that significant reductions are required to meet our targets, changes that will mean fundamental shifts in energy use patterns and lifestyle."

The targets for Canada identified in the Kyoto Protocol include reducing greenhouse gas emissions by six per cent from 1990 levels for the period 2008-2012. Before ratifying this international agreement, a national process is under way to examine the costs and benefits of implementing the protocol and the options available for implementation.

At last week's meeting, the council also recognized Canadians' concern for their health and the health of their children, and reaffirmed its commitment to develop tough Canada-wide standards on pollutants affecting the health of Canadians and the health of the ecosystem. Extensive consultations will take place over the next year, with some standards expected to be finalized by next fall, along with plans to put the standards in place.

Mr. Downe also addressed the council on Nova Scotia's concern about acid rain. Nova Scotia's first State of the Environment Report, released in July, indicates that one-third of all Atlantic salmon habitat in Nova Scotia has been lost to acidification since 1950.

"It is imperative to Nova Scotia that we bring the problem of acid deposition under control. As 85 per cent of the emissions contributing to the problem in Nova Scotia originate from industrial sources in the United States and Central Canada, effective multi-lateral strategies to reduce these emissions are essential," said the minister.

At today's meeting on greenhouse gases in Halifax, Mr. Downe noted the importance of encouraging participation of people at varying interest levels in these environmental processes.

"We must share our concerns and our needs at every level so we can decide how to approach these issues. I am committed to work with you, and for you."

The minister is preparing to bring the issues of climate change and acid rain forward for discussion by environment and energy ministers at a joint meeting in Halifax, Oct. 19-20.