Environmental Goals legislation needs bold, legislated targets

Halifax -- NDP Leader and Environment and Climate Change Spokesperson Gary Burrill made the following statement in response to the proposed Sustainable Development Goals Act:

“The Environmental Goals and Sustainable Prosperity Act has been Nova Scotia’s flagship legislation to address climate change. By moving virtually all of the goals out of the law and into regulations, the McNeil Liberals are significantly weakening this important legislation.

If we have any hope of addressing the most severe impacts of climate change, we need strong targets for renewable energy, energy efficiency, biodiversity protection and green job creation. These targets should be debated and passed in the House, not determined behind closed doors at the Cabinet table.

Climate scientists are clear on the level of greenhouse gas emission reduction that is required to keep global heating under 1.5 degrees. The Environmental Goals and Sustainable Prosperity Act was our vehicle for getting there.

Our caucus has consistently called for targets that would reduce Nova Scotia’s emissions to 50 per cent below 1990 levels by 2030. Weaker targets are simply not acceptable in the face of today’s climate emergency.”

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