Minister pleased with climate change rating from environmental coalition

Tom Osborne, Minister of Environment and Conservation, said today that a �B� rating recently given to Newfoundland and Labrador by a coalition of environmental advocates in its second annual climate change report card on the New England Governors� and Eastern Canadian Premier�s 2001 Climate Change Action Plan clearly demonstrates the great strides being made by this province in addressing climate change.

�We are extremely pleased to be recognized for our progress in the area of climate change,� said Minister Osborne. �A �B� rating is especially encouraging given that our grade has increased from a �C-minus� the previous year. Our government takes climate change very seriously and our efforts were enhanced this year with the release of our provincial Climate Change Action Plan.�

Minister Osborne added that government will continue to move forward in addressing this important global environmental issue. �Our Climate Change Action Plan outlines strategic initiatives to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, as well as initiatives that ensure our province is prepared to adapt to the potential impacts of climate change,� said the minister. �We will continue to work diligently in implementing our Action Plan to achieve even greater progress in Newfoundland and Labrador as we do our part to take action on climate change.�

The 2005 climate change report card puts Newfoundland and Labrador�s �B� grade in second place among the eastern Canadian provinces behind Prince Edward Island who was given the highest grade at �B-plus�, and equal to Connecticut who also received a �B� grade.

Media contact: Sonia Glover, Communications (709) 729-2575, 685-6612

2005 08 26                         10:20 a.m.