Sustainable Prosperity - Municipal Sustainability Office

Dollars & Sense

Sustainable Prosperity - Links to Municipal Policy

Managing your municipality's energy consumption and finding ways to reduce air pollutant and greenhouse gas emissions just makes sense. Not only does it help the environment, it helps your budget's bottom line, and it will benefit your community.

As your municipality expands its investment in reducing energy consumption and using more sustainable sources of energy, it benefits your environment, your budget, and your community.

The Municipal Policy Context for Sustainable Energy Management in Nova Scotia

Investing in energy management also makes sense from a municipal policy perspective. Creating sustainable communities is an important government priority for Nova Scotia. Through programs, policies and legislation, the Province has taken a leadership role in addressing climate change and reducing air pollution, striving to make Nova Scotia one of the greenest and most sustainable places in which to live.

The Environmental Goals and Sustainable Prosperity Act (EGSPA), which became a law in 2007, makes a clear connection between the environment and the economy. Municipalities have a leadership role to play in reducing greenhouse gases and air pollutants by managing emissions, investing in energy conservation, and investing in renewable energy sources.

“4(2)(e) greenhouse gas emissions will be at least ten per cent below the levels that were emitted in the year 1990 by the year 2020, as outlined in the New England Governors and Eastern Canadian Premiers Climate Change Action Plan of 2001 (Environmental Goals and Sustainable Prosperity Act, 2007).”

Nova Scotia’s Environmental Goals and Sustainable Prosperity Act has goals to reduce GHG emissions by at least 10 per cent from 1990 levels by 2020. The two most cost-effective ways to accomplish this are to reduce the demand for electricity, and to generate power from clean, renewable sources. Many communities have used ecoNova Scotia funding to incorporate clean energy sources into new buildings as well as existing buildings.

In addition to EGSPA and CCAP, Nova Scotia’s Energy Strategy and Renewable Electricity Plan, have also laid the foundation of a clear approach for our province to reduce greenhouse gas and air pollution emissions, decrease energy demand, and meet more of our energy needs through renewable sources.

Under the terms of the Canada/Nova Scotia Gas-Tax Agreement, every municipality in Nova Scotia was required to complete Integrated Community Sustainability Plans (ICSPs) by March 2010. These plans support the development of sustainable, healthy, and vibrant municipalities through the interconnected dimensions of the environment, society and economy.

Sustainable energy management is an integral component of the ICSPs, requiring municipalities to transition away from fossil fuels and positioning them to take advantage of the environmental and economic opportunities that renewable energy production can provide.

In supporting Nova Scotia’s goals to reduce demand and encourage renewable energy initiatives, municipalities will not only make the switch to cleaner, more stable energy sources, but you will take a leading role in contributing to local economic development.