Clean Foundation Inspiring environmental change

Who we are We work for a clean climate, clean water and clean leaders. That’s why we say we’re just Clean. We’re a non-profit organization established by an Act of the Legislature of Nova Scotia in 1988.

“EGSPA makes NS the first province in Canada to legislate a broad range of environmental targets with the explicit intention of fostering sustainable economic prosperity.” Minister Mark Parent

EGSPA GHG emissions will be at least 10% below the levels 1990 levels by the year Now made law. 18.5% of electricity generation will be from renewables by 2013

Policy wonk pop quiz! Question: Which state or province was the first in North America to set hard caps on GHG emissions?

Climate Change Action Plan First and only hard caps on greenhouse gas emissions. 25% emissions reduction from the electricity sector. By 2050, reduce GHG emissions by up to 80% below 2009 levels.

Energy Strategy increase energy efficiency in the NS by 20% by 2020 develop small-scale renewable electricity push to exceed a 25% renewables target by 2020.

Renewable Energy Plan committed to law the target of 25% renewable electricity by 2015 a new goal of 40% renewables by ComFIT ENS

The Energy Policy Family Tree

Policy wonk pop quiz! Question: What policy mechanism is responsible for most of the low-impact renewable energy development in the world?

Policy wonk pop quiz!

Local government’s role Local governments have an important role to play in a low carbon transition. A few tools available for local governments: 1.Property assessment financing 2.Regulations 3.Direct investment

PACE financing for solar HRM is providing Property Assessment Financing for residential solar energy A municipality like Cumberland (a solar hot spot!) could adapt Solar City

PACE financing for energy efficiency The Town of Berwick has recently developed its own PACE program Lowers energy costs Stimulates sector Frees up room on the grid Potential revenue source

Regulations Regulate building codes Eg City of North Vancouver Regulate energy assessments for new and/or old homes Eg Whitehorse, Yukon and United Kingdom

Direct investment Digby has invested in an anaerobic digester to turn mink waste into a clean tech resource. Great example of green economy, and municipality as innovator and facilitator.

The power of local government Many levers for local government to pull Overall it is important for local government to: 1.Identify the gaps 2.Identify and innovate solutions 3.Facilitate the implementation

clean.ns.ca Gina Patterson, Derek Peters, facebook.com/CleanFoundation twitter.com/CleanFoundation youtube.com/CleanFoundation Contact Us