Provincial Government Recognizes World Environment Day

  • Municipal Affairs and Environment

June 5, 2019

Today is United Nations World Environment Day, and Environment Week takes place in Canada from June 2-9. In recognition, the Provincial Government would like to highlight the efforts that the province is taking to protect the environment and to encourage all residents to continue taking an active role in preserving and protecting the environment.

This year’s Environment Week theme is “Beat Plastic Pollution.” As an active participant in the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment, Newfoundland and Labrador is working on development of nationwide actions to reduce plastic waste, including a national Zero Plastic Waste Strategy as part of Canada’s Ocean Plastics Charter. In April, the Provincial Government announced that it is proceeding with drafting regulations to ban retail plastic bags.

June 5 is also recognized as Clean Air Day. On this day, in tandem with acknowledging the importance of environmental protection, the Provincial Government recognizes the work being done to ensure residents have clean air and acknowledges the positive impact that good air quality has on public health and the environment.

On March 1, 2019, the provincial Climate Change Action Plan was released which provides information on how Newfoundland and Labrador will work over the next five years to:

  • Reduce greenhouse gas emissions;
  • Stimulate clean innovation and growth; and
  • Build resilience to climate change impacts.

The Action Plan will guide this province’s investments through the $89.4 million Low Carbon Economy Leadership Fund and the $300 million for green infrastructure under the Investing in Canada Plan.

Quote
“Our government is committed to protecting the environment and to improving the quality of life for all residents. We are supporting the development of a green economy and infrastructure and are working on initiatives to continue to move Newfoundland and Labrador into an environmentally and economically sustainable future.”
Honourable Lisa Dempster
Minister of Municipal Affairs and Environment

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Learn more
Provincial Government Launches Climate Change Action Plan

The Way Forward on Climate Change

Low Carbon Economy Leadership Fund external link

Investing in Canada Plan

Follow us on Twitter: @GovNL external link and @MAE_GovNL external link

Media contact
Lynn Robinson
Municipal Affairs and Environment
709-729-5449, 691-9466
lynnrobinson@gov.nl.ca

2019 06 05 3:10 pm