Ministers to attend Joint Ministers� Meeting on Climate Change

Mines and Energy Minister Lloyd Matthews and Environment Minister Kevin Aylward will be in Halifax on Monday, October 28, to attend a federal-provincial meeting of Energy and Environment Ministers to discuss the federal government draft climate change plan to meet the Kyoto Protocol.

The Kyoto Protocol is an international agreement which sets out the rules by which signatory countries will reduce greenhouse gas emissions to below 1990 levels. In Canada�s case, the target is 6 per cent below 1990 levels or approximately 30 per cent below current emissions.

The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador has recognized for some time that climate change is an important issue and has taken steps to address it, both on its own, and in conjunction with the Eastern Canadian Provinces and New England States. The province is also moving forward in development of its Action Plan to deal with climate change.

"We are well aware that climate change affects the natural balance of ecosystems and that greenhouse gas emissions cause global warming; therefore, we need a climate change plan," said Minister Aylward. "The federal government�s draft plan contains many elements that warrant consideration. Newfoundland and Labrador remains committed to addressing climate change, preferably with all other jurisdictions, while protecting our economic growth, whether or not the federal government ratifies Kyoto."

"We require further information regarding the federal government�s implementation plan and time to do our own assessment before we can make any concrete decisions," said Minister Matthews. "The uncertainty of potential economic impacts, and future investments, is a concern for this province. We will need to ensure that all of these factors are examined before we take a final decision on Kyoto."

The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador has not yet adopted a firm position on the ratification of Kyoto. The province will review the federal plan tabled yesterday and looks forward to participating in the Joint Minister�s Meetings on Monday.

Media Contact:

Cynthia Layden-Barron, Department of Environment, (709) 729-2575
Darrell Mercer, Department of Mines and Energy, (709) 729-5777

There is considerable agreement amongst scientists that the production of greenhouse gases (GHGs), mainly from the burning of fossil fuel, has led and will continue to lead to increases in average global temperature over a relatively short time period (between 1.4 and 5.8 degrees Celsius by 2100).

Normally, heat energy from the sun is either absorbed or reflected back to the atmosphere. Certain greenhouse gases in the atmosphere allow heat energy from the sun to reach the earth and temporarily trap heat re-radiated from the earth's surface. This phenomenon is known as the greenhouse effect and is essential to life on the planet. Higher concentrations of greenhouse gases trap more heat, causing the temperature in the lower atmosphere and at the surface to rise.

Global warming, even by a few degrees, leads to disruption of normal weather patterns which can, in turn, lead to increased intensity and strength of storms, floods, droughts and other weather-related events. Sea level around the Island portion of the province is projected to rise 30 cm over the next 50 years, coastal erosion is likely to result in low-lying areas of the province and modifications to municipal infrastructure (water supplies, etc.) will likely be required.

The Kyoto Protocol sets out the rules by which signatory countries will meet their commitments to reduce GHG emissions to below 1990 levels, in Canada�s case 6% below 1990 levels or approximately 30% below current emissions. Under the Protocol, these levels would have to be met by 2012.

The solutions to problems associated with climate change will require long-term commitments, significant changes in the "fuel mix" and improvements in the efficiency or reduced use of energy.

It is uncertain what the costs and impacts of the federal government plan will be on our province. Therefore the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador has not yet adopted a firm position on the ratification of Kyoto. The province will reflect upon the federal plan tabled yesterday and participate in the Joint Minister�s Meetings on Monday in an effort to address this province�s concerns.

2002 10 25                                       10:35 a.m.