Canada and Newfoundland and Labrador announce funding to help tackle climate change with industry, municipalities, not-for-profit and Indigenous communities

ST. JOHN'S, March 15, 2019 /CNW/ - Canada and Newfoundland and Labrador are working together to take climate action and help Canadians access clean solutions that save money and energy, create good jobs, and support healthy communities.

Today, Nick Whalen, Member of Parliament St. John's East, on behalf of the Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Catherine McKenna, announced $11.4 million in federal support for Newfoundland and Labrador's new Climate Change Challenge Fund and Freight Transportation Fuel Efficiency Program.

The Climate Change Challenge Fund will support capital projects that lower greenhouse gas emissions. The program will be open to organizations of all sizes, from across sectors--from large industrial companies to small and medium-sized businesses, across commercial, municipal, not-for-profit sectors, and Indigenous governments and organizations. Anyone and everyone can be a part of the solution to climate change.

The Freight Transportation Fuel Efficiency Program gives heavy-duty vehicle operators financial incentive to improve their fuel efficiency and help reduce emissions in the province. Over a third of the province's emissions come from the transportation sector. Eligible freight trucking operators will receive rebates for installing fuel saving devices that reduce their emissions, lower their fuel consumption, and improve air quality for everyone, all while creating jobs.

The Government of Canada will provide an additional $8.6 million in federal funding for Newfoundland and Labrador's Energy Efficiency and Fuel Switching in Public Buildings Program, which was announced in January and helps schools, hospitals, and long-term care facilities making energy efficient retrofits, allowing them to save money on energy and reinvest in students and patients.

The Government of Canada is committed to supporting clean solutions that will help Canadians reduce emissions and save money. By working together, we can ensure Canadians across the country are able to protect the environment and fight climate change in a practical and affordable way.

Quotes

"We are taking real action on climate change. By pricing pollution, supporting energy efficiency in residences and government building, and now fuel efficiency in freight transportation, Newfoundlanders and Labradorians can be proud that their governments are creating the tools needed so that everyone can play a role in reducing greenhouse gas pollution." 

Nick Whalen, Member of Parliament St. John's East

"Newfoundland and Labrador is committed to addressing climate change. Through these and other programs under the Low Carbon Economy Leadership Fund, we are supporting key economic sectors and community groups in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and successfully transitioning to a low carbon future."

Honourable Dwight Ball, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador

Quick facts

• The Government of Canada's Low Carbon Economy Leadership Fund will help make homes and buildings more energy efficient, comfortable, and affordable to run; assist companies across Canada in innovating and accessing technologies; and support the forest and agriculture sectors in enhancing stored carbon in forests and soils.
• The transportation sector is the largest source of emissions in Newfoundland and Labrador, responsible for approximately 35 per cent of the Province's total emissions in 2016.
• The Climate Change Challenge Fund will be delivered on a competitive basis and will include activities such as improving fuel/energy efficiency; facility fuel switching to lower carbon alternatives; and process changes or product improvements.

Associated links

• Low Carbon Economy Fund
• Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change
• Freight Transportation Fuel Efficiency Program (FTFEP)
• https://www.exec.gov.nl.ca/exec/occ/low_carbon_economy_fund.htmlClimate Change Challenge Fund (CCCF)

Environment and Climate Change Canada's Twitter page

Environment and Climate Change Canada's Facebook page

SOURCE Environment and Climate Change Canada