Executive Council
August 11, 2016
Working Together on Climate Change
Government Marks Recent Successes in Tackling Climate Change
The Office of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency is marking recent successes in raising public awareness on the effects of climate change, including an award-winning public education initiative, and popular industry and public engagement activities.
"Adapting to climate change and mitigating its effects are priorities for our government and through the Office of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency, we are promoting new ideas within business and industry, and we are promoting dialogue through ongoing public consultations and strategic engagement. I am pleased with the progress the office has made on important files so far this year and I look forward to continued progress in the coming months."
- The Honourable Perry Trimper, Minister of Environment and Conservation
Recent examples of success include:
- In early 2016, the Office of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency provided in-person and online training to industry professionals on ways to incorporate energy efficiency into the construction of homes and small buildings.
- In partnership with Newfoundland and Labrador Construction Association, the office provided training for large building designers and contractors on ways to incorporate energy efficiency into large building envelopes.
- In June, the office was honoured with a Pinnacle Award of Merit for a Government Communication Program for the HotShots initiative.
"We've seen a tremendous and productive response from the public to our initiatives and consultations. HotShots was designed to educate and engage students on the importance of energy efficiency and the ways they can take action to conserve energy. I am delighted that this worthwhile project has been recognized in such a prestigious way."
- Minister Trimper
The office has also recently undertaken public consultations on climate change to help inform the Provincial Government's new Climate Change Strategy. The public can still contribute to the conversation via an online, real-time discussion group consultation on September 8, beginning at 1:30 p.m., NDT, or by submitting ideas via email, online, or in writing by September 16. Additional information on recent climate change successes, as well as the consultation process can be found in the backgrounder below.
QUICK FACTS
- The Provincial Government is marking recent successes in climate change awareness including an award-winning education initiative, and popular engagement activities.
- The schedule of online climate change consultation sessions, including additional information about how to contribute is available at www.gov.nl.ca/TalkClimateChange.
- The Guide to Building Energy Efficient Homes and Small Buildings is available online at www.turnbackthetide.ca .
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Media contact:
Emily Timmins
Director of Communications Department of Environment and Conservation Office of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency 709-729-2575, 693-1292 emilytimmins@gov.nl.ca |
BACKGROUNDER
Climate Change Consultations
The Provincial Government is committed to developing a climate change strategy. Climate change is a shared challenge that requires governments, businesses, industries, communities and individuals to all play a role. All Newfoundlanders and Labradorians are being asked to participate in consultations to inform the development of a new provincial climate change strategy. Input is requested by September 16, 2016.
Online sessions will use Adobe Connect and the necessary software is free to use. Persons registering for these sessions will receive a link by email and participants are requested to test their computers for compatibility in advance of the session they are participating in. Please register at least 24 hours before the session is scheduled to start.
Date | Time | Comments |
---|---|---|
Tuesday, September 8 | 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. NDT | Click here to Register |
Energy Efficiency Guide for Builders, Consumers
Energy used in houses and buildings accounts for approximately 18 per cent of the total energy consumed in the province (excluding offshore petroleum). In early 2016, the Office of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency provided in-person and online training to industry professionals on ways to incorporate energy efficiency into the construction of homes and small buildings. The training was attended by over 170 building industry professionals and was incorporated into a new Guide to Building Energy Efficient Homes and Small Buildings that was launched at the Canadian Homebuilders Association Annual General Meeting in February 2016.
The Office of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency, in partnership with the Newfoundland and Labrador Construction Association, also provided training for large building designers and contractors on ways to incorporate energy efficiency into large building envelopes. The session in June 2016, was attended by over 60 industry professionals and involved the release of a first-of-its-kind guide that outlines best practices and case studies on incorporating energy efficiency into large building envelopes.
The guide is available online at www.turnbackthetide.ca in the Publications section under Tools & Resources.
HotShots Initiative
In June 2016, the office was honoured with a Pinnacle Award of Merit for a Government Communication Program for the HotShots initiative. HotShots was designed to educate and engage students on the importance of energy efficiency and the ways they can take action to conserve energy. Pinnacle Awards showcase excellence in business communication and are presented by the Newfoundland and Labrador Chapter of the International Association of Business Communicators.
The four components of the HotShots initiative were:
- Disseminating resource packs to all 263 schools in the province, including French packs for immersion teachers and schools within the Conseil Scolaire Francophone;
- Delivering presentations on energy efficiency in over 50 schools in the province; these were in addition to presentations delivered in at least 50 schools by the utilities through the takeCHARGE program;
- Developing a contest for grades 7-12 to complement the existing takeCHARGE contest for grades K-6, while opening both contests to entries in French for the first time; and
- Launching a web interface for teachers with a "Curriculum Connections" component that links online resources about energy efficiency and conservation to curriculum outcomes for particular courses.
To access the resource packs and Curriculum Connections, please visit:
www.turnbackthetide.ca/taking-action/schools.shtml .
2016 08 11 10:10 a.m.