Environment and Conservation
June 6, 2007

Government Moves Forward on Sustainable Development

The sustainable management of the province�s natural resources is now enshrined in the Sustainable Development Act that was passed in the current session of the House of Assembly. Sustainable development will ensure the province�s renewable and non-renewable resources are developed to maximize benefits for the province, while protecting the natural environment so that future generations have the ability to meet their own needs.

"Our government�s Blueprint for the Future committed to introducing a Sustainable Development Act, establishing the Newfoundland and Labrador Round Table on Sustainable Development and developing a Strategic Environmental Management Plan," said the Honourable Clyde Jackman, Minister of Environment and Conservation. "This government is moving forward and acting on our commitment."

In Budget 2007, the Provincial Government committed $600,000 to sustainable development for the establishment of the round table and the preparation of the strategic environmental management plan including indicators monitoring, transparency and accountability requirements, enforcement, promotion, research and implementation.

"The round table will be represented by all sectors of the economy, including industry, environmental groups, academics, Aboriginal groups, wildlife organizations and individuals," said Minister Jackman. "The round table will provide advice, make recommendations and be an effective contributor to our government�s sustainable development agenda."

The Strategic Environmental Management Plan will be developed over the next two years. The plan will assist the Provincial Government in making informed decisions, bringing forward progressive regulations, and stimulating investment and use of environmental resources.

"Many local industries, including mining and forestry, already recognize the need for a sustainable approach to development as well as long-term planning that protects the environment," said Minister Jackman. "As a province, we cannot tolerate abuse of our resources, ignoring the needs of future generations and placing unreasonable burdens and liabilities on our children."

Last June, Minister Jackman led province-wide consultations on developing a Sustainable Development Act. The minister received over 100 presentations and submissions from community groups, the private sector, industry and individual Newfoundlanders and Labradorians. "I thank the people of the province for their input during the public consultations," said the minister. "The consultations resulted in a high level of support for sustainable development from both industry and individuals."

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Media contact:
Tina Coffey
Public Relations Specialist
Department of Environment and Conservation
709-729-5783, 728-8650
tcoffey@gov.nl.ca

BACKGROUNDER

Sustainable Development Act

Consistent with the direction outlined in the Our Blueprint for the Future and public comments, the Sustainable Development Act consists of three major components.

1. Legislative basis for government action

The Sustainable Development Act ensures the province�s natural resources, both renewable and nonrenewable, are developed responsibly in ways that maximize benefits to the people of Newfoundland and Labrador and protect and conserve the province�s natural environment and natural heritage.

The Sustainable Development Act will:

  1. Establish sustainable management of the province's natural environment as a central policy objective;
  2. Recognize the full range of uses and values of natural resources, including traditional resource development (e.g., mining and forestry), habitat for wildlife, parks and wilderness, tourism and recreation;
  3. Safeguard the life supporting capacity of air, water, soil and ecosystems;
  4. Provides for the sustainable development of renewable resources in a way that enables people to provide for their economic, social and cultural needs, while preserving the integrity of ecosystems and meeting the reasonably foreseeable needs of future generations;
  5. Ensure nonrenewable resource developments benefit future as well as present generations by controlling the pace of development, promoting value-added product manufacturing, and spending royalties in ways that have long-term benefits across generations;
  6. Direct resource departments and related agencies to harmonize resource policies, which will make them more consistent and efficient in their pursuit of a healthy economy, environment, and society for present and future generations;
  7. Ensure that resource decisions address the full range of environmental, social and economic values, and ensure that the views of workers, environmentalists, industry, communities, aboriginal peoples and others have a say in how our resources are managed.

2. Establishment of a Newfoundland and Labrador Round Table on Sustainable Development

In accordance with Our Blueprint for the Future, the public consultations and the department�s review of various "round table" mechanisms, the Newfoundland and Labrador Round Table on Sustainable Development will:

  1. Act as advisory group to government, through the Minister of Environment and Conservation;
  2. Provide information on sustainable development to the public, initiate research and engage with citizens on sustainable development issues;
  3. Be supported by a secretariat, within the sustainable development and strategic science branch of Environment and Conservation providing administrative support, research and analysis.
  4. Have its members drawn from professionals, industry, cultural industry, non government organizations, and academics, as well as members of the general public.

3. Development of a Strategic Environmental Management Plan (SEMP)

The intent of the Strategic Environmental Management Plan will be developed from the legislative framework of the Sustainable Development Act and will incorporate, as per Our Blueprint for the Future recommendation and comments during the public consultations, management systems that:

  1. Integrate environmental considerations into government decision-making processes;
  2. Involve all sectors of the province in identifying common values and working towards a shared vision of a sustainable and prosperous future;
  3. Ensure that decisions are guided by reliable information, utilizing a variety of experts;
  4. Provide a framework to coordinate activities across federal, provincial and municipal jurisdictions and encourage cooperation among government departments and agencies;
  5. Create a stable and predictable regulatory environment that will benefit all interests;
  6. Promote the use of environmentally-friendly technology to meet the objective of sustainable, responsible resource development;
  7. Promote private sector investment in recycling, heritage conservation, eco-tourism and other business opportunities in the environment sector;
  8. Make use of environmental resources to create new wealth and generate employment in rural areas of the province;
  9. Ensure the existence of that accountability mechanisms and clear lines of accountability in line with the Transparency and Accountability Act;
  10. Call for the incorporation of sustainable development principles into all pertinent existing and future legislation; and,
  11. Require departmental sustainable development plans.

2007 06 06                                                 12:00 p.m.

 

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