1.4.1

Description: 
We will develop a territorial climate change strategy that takes into account northern energy demands and the cost of living, while reflecting international and national commitments to lower greenhouse gas emissions, exploring options for carbon pricing systems, and capturing local alternatives such as biomass, wind, geothermal and solar.
Lead Dept: 
ENR
Priority: 
1.4
Status: 
Fulfilled
Restructured COC: 
Energy and Climate Change
Number: 
1
Deputy Minister Committee: 
Energy and Climate Change
Background Information: 

ECONOMY, ENVIRONMENT AND CLIMATE CHANGE

Commitment 1.4.1 – We will develop a territorial climate change strategy that takes into account northern energy demands and the cost of living, while reflecting international and national commitments to lower greenhouse gas emissions, exploring options for carbon pricing systems, and capturing local alternatives such as biomass, wind, geothermal and solar.

Climate Change Strategic Framework

Climate change is one of the most serious environmental, economic and political challenges of our time and is an important issue to Northwest Territories (NWT) residents.

The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) has committed to develop an NWT Climate Change Strategic Framework (Framework) that takes northern energy demands and the cost of living into account. The strategy will reflect commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, explore carbon pricing systems and how to capture local alternatives such as hydro, biomass, wind and solar.

Work to develop the Framework is almost complete, led by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, in collaboration with GNWT departments and organizations. The Framework will improve the ability to prepare for and withstand impacts from climate change, and strengthen and diversify the economy while reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

The Framework is being developed for several reasons:

    1. to articulate how the NWT will contribute to Canada's efforts to address climate change (through the Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change);

    2. to replace the NWT Greenhouse Gas Strategy (2011-2015) which expired December 31st, 2015; and,

    3. to better prepare the NWT to adapt to climate change impacts by improving monitoring, planning, coordination and implementation.

Extensive engagement work was completed in 2016/17 and a draft version of the Framework was prepared from April to December 2017. The draft Framework was released for external review from early December 2017 until January 19, 2018. A final version of the Framework will be prepared incorporating comments received.

Related Mandate Commitments:

  • Commitment 1.4.3 - We will reduce diesel use for heating and electricity in off-grid communities under the Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change, as well as set targets for greenhouse gas reduction in the new NWT Energy Strategy and Climate Change Strategic Framework.