The Province is supporting nine more communities to take action to protect themselves from the impacts of global climate change.
The Town of Lunenburg is one of nine communities added to the Community Climate Capacity Program. (Province of Nova Scotia / File)
The towns of Antigonish, Lockeport, Lunenburg, New Glasgow and Port Hawkesbury; the municipalities of Cumberland and Richmond; and the regions of Queens and West Hants are the latest participants in the Community Climate Capacity Program. Examples of projects include flood mapping, energy planning and public education.
Timothy Halman, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, made the announcement on October 21 at the Community Climate Capacity Summit in Truro. The event brings together community representatives from across Nova Scotia to collaborate on best practices, learn from each other's experiences and gain insight into climate and sustainability initiatives at the local level.
"Our government is investing to protect communities from the impacts of climate change," said Minister Halman. "From flood planning to costal protections to exploring clean energy, we are supporting those who know their communities best to take action in ways that make the most sense for their communities."
To date, the government has invested $7.3 million in the Community Climate Capacity Program to support local action in response to climate change.
Quotes:
"Over the past year, we've worked alongside Nova Scotian communities to identify and support their climate goals, and we're seeing first-hand what coastal communities need. By expanding the program, our team can offer more support where the risks of coastal hazards are greatest, helping communities build resilience through local climate solutions and securing them additional support for priority projects."
Scott Skinner, President and CEO, Clean Foundation
"Municipalities are on the front lines of climate change, experiencing first-hand the impacts of flooding, drought and wildfires. Programs like the Community Climate Capacity Program are vital in helping local governments strengthen their ability to plan, adapt and protect their residents. NSFM is pleased to see continued collaboration between the Province, Clean Foundation and municipalities as we work together to build more resilient communities across Nova Scotia."
Pam Mood, President, Nova Scotia Federation of Municipalities
"Our living shoreline restoration project is a key priority for the Town of Annapolis Royal, and being part of the Community Climate Capacity Program has helped us advance key climate initiatives like this efficiently and effectively. The support we get from Clean Foundation, through this government-funded program, helps us navigate both challenges and opportunities, including securing the funding to make the project possible. Their support is a game-changer, and we would not have made the progress we have without them!"
Adele MacDonald, Councillor, Town of Annapolis Royal
"Clean Foundation has been instrumental in supporting our climate change mitigation efforts by providing expertise and advising on related funding opportunities. With Clean's support we have been able to develop and implement plans aimed at protecting important coastal infrastructure."
Jim Ryan, Mayor, Town of Pictou
Quick Facts:
- the Community Climate Capacity Program was launched in 2023 to help municipalities, Mi'kmaw communities and community groups build capacity to make their communities resilient to climate change impacts such as wildfires, drought and flooding
- this is the second group of communities to be supported under the program; the first included 16 municipalities, one Mi'kmaw community and two community organizations
- Clean Foundation administers the program on behalf of the government
- the program supports the Province's coastline protection plan - actions 8-12 in The Future of Nova Scotia's Coastline support municipalities and their leadership in managing and adapting to coastal hazards from climate change
- the program also supports Section 7(c) in the Environmental Goals and Climate Change Reduction Act, which says one of the government's goals is to work with municipalities, First Nations and African Nova Scotian communities in Nova Scotia to take immediate and long-term action on their climate change priorities
Additional Resources:
- Community Climate Capacity Program: https://cleanfoundation.ca/ccc/
- News release - More Provincial Support for Community Climate Priorities: https://news.novascotia.ca/en/2024/05/09/more-provincial-support-community-climate-priorities
- Climate change action in Pictou - Historic Coastal Town Shores up its Storm Defenses: https://transitionsstories.ca/historic-coastal-town-shores-its-storm-defenses
- The Future of Nova Scotia's Coastline: A plan to protect people, homes and nature from climate change: https://novascotia.ca/coastal-climate-change/docs/coastline-plan.pdf
- Environmental Goals and Climate Change Reduction Act: https://nslegislature.ca/sites/default/files/legc/statutes/environmental%20goals%20and%20climate%20change%20reduction.pdf
- Our Climate, Our Future: Nova Scotia's Climate Change Plan for Clean Growth: https://climatechange.novascotia.ca/sites/default/files/uploads/ns-climate-change-plan.pdf
Backgrounder : List of projects
