Nova Scotia Partnership Acts on Climate Change

ENVIRONMENT/LABOUR--Nova Scotia Partnership Acts on Climate Change

A private-sector driven partnership on climate change was launched today, Sept. 30, in Halifax during the 33rd General Assembly of World Trade Centres.

ClimAdapt is an innovative partnership providing climate change expertise to governments and industry. The goal is to make maritime regions less vulnerable to climate change impacts. The collaboration involves seven private-sector firms, industry associations and all three levels of government.

"These firms are leaders in the environmental sector -- not just in Nova Scotia, but the world. Their expertise will lead to global export development opportunities," said Environment and Labour Minister David Morse. "I want to congratulate them on their innovation and their commitment to preserving and managing our environment."

The World Bank states losses from climate change total about $610 billion (U.S.) for the 1990s. Maritime regions such as Atlantic Canada, the U.S. eastern seaboard and the Caribbean are particularly vulnerable to climate change effects like sea level rise, storm surges, hurricanes and crop damage from drought. By considering approaches that allow regions to adapt to these effects, they become less vulnerable to climate change impacts. The benefits include safer infrastructure, better protection for ecosystems and savings in both human and financial resources.

"Strategies which will allow us to adopt initiatives to adapt to climate change are necessary for future sustainability. It is fitting, therefore, that HRM plans to undertake a pilot project in this regard, most likely as part of its Healthy Growth regional planning exercise," said Bob Harvey, deputy mayor of Halifax Regional Municipality.

ClimAdapt was established in November 2001. The project supports Nova Scotia's energy strategy and the Eastern Canadian Premiers and New England Governors' efforts related to climate change. ClimAdapt offers interdisciplinary expertise in a variety of areas, including coastal monitoring, environmental assessments, and solid waste and wastewater management.

"There is a noticeable void in climate change adaptation expertise internationally, and ClimAdapt will fill that void," said Rick Joseph, co-chair of Climadapt and executive director of the Nova Scotia Environmental Industry Association. "Nova Scotia companies are well positioned to develop and apply the right technology and management expertise to help regions deal with the impacts of climate change."

The project is already developing a guidance document for environmental assessment processes and a risk assessment framework. ClimAdapt members will also conduct case studies for a variety of environmental scenarios, such as coastal wetlands and aquatic habitats, bridge design, and offshore energy production platforms.

The Canadian environmental industry sector generated more than $14 billion in revenue and employed 159,000 people in 2001, making it the fifth largest industry in Canada. In Nova Scotia, the industry is experiencing annual growth of about 14 per cent.

NOTE TO EDITORS: The following is a list of ClimAdapt member agencies.

Corporate

• Alan Bell Environmental Management Services
• Cameron Consulting Inc.
• CBCL Ltd.
• CEF Consultants Ltd
• deRomilly and deRomilly Ltd.
• Dillon Consulting Ltd.
• Vaughan Engineering Ltd.

Non-government Organizations

• Climate Change Impacts and Adaptation Research Network
• Nova Scotia Environmental Industry Association

Public Sector

• Canada/Nova Scotia Co-operation Agreement on Economic Diversification.
• Environment Canada
• Nova Scotia Department of Environment and Labour
• Halifax Regional Municipality