Collaborative Report from Auditors General on Climate Change Action Released

  • Office of the Auditor General

March 27, 2018

Today, acting on behalf of auditors general of most provinces and the Auditor General of Canada, Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development Julie Gelfand provided the House of Commons with a report titled “Perspectives on Climate Change Action in Canada: A Collaborative Report from Auditors General”.

This collaborative report builds on audit work released over the last 18 months by the auditors general of most provinces, as well as the three northern territories and the federal level. The report provides an overall and independent assessment of the state of climate change action in Canada.

“The findings from the federal, provincial and territorial climate change audits confirm that Canada’s governments are working on climate change, but that the work is far from being done.”
– Julie Gelfand, Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development

The collaborative report found that based on current federal, provincial and territorial policies and actions, Canada is not expected to meet its 2020 target for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Meeting Canada’s 2030 target will require substantial effort and actions beyond those currently planned or in place.

“From our provincial perspective, Government is not on track to meet its 2020 greenhouse gas emissions reduction target of 10% below 1990 levels. Government developed the 2011 Climate Change Action Plan to guide the Province towards reduced greenhouse gas emissions; however, Government did not implement sufficient measures to achieve its target.”
– Julia Mullaley, Auditor General of Newfoundland and Labrador

The collaborative report points to a number of common shortcomings across governments which are hindering Canada’s overall efforts to address and adapt to climate change and, as a result, are preventing Canadians from preparing themselves to deal with current and future climate impacts.

The collaborative report also sets out a number of questions for elected officials and Canadians to consider asking of governments, as they continue their efforts to reduce emissions and address climate change impacts.

The collaborative climate change report and the provincial report on climate change are available at www.ag.gov.nl.ca/ag/reports.htm.

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Learn more
Report to the House of Assembly on Performance Audits of Departments and Crown Agencies

Media contact
Melissa Lewis
Office of the Auditor General – Newfoundland & Labrador
(709) 729-2700
MelissaLewis@oag.nl.ca

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2018 03 27 12:10 pm