News Release

HRM Representing Canada at the World Climate Change Forum

(Tuesday, November 29, 2005) - Halifax Regional Municipality has been selected to present its Climate SMART initiative at the international Urban Leaders Forum. The Forum is a parallel event to the United Nations 11th Conference of the Parties (COP 11) world summit on climate change being held in Montreal November 28th - December 9th.

HRM will be presenting its Climate SMART initiative in a forum with representative cities from Asia, Africa, South America, Europe and the Far North.

“HRM is committed to providing a healthy, sustainable, vibrant community,” says Mayor Peter Kelly. “The Climate SMART initiative is a key component of this commitment, along with our world class composting and recycling system, Harbour Solutions Project, pesticide bylaw and our Pollution Prevention program.”

Climate SMART, a private-public partnership involving all three levels of government, is aimed at an integrated approach to climate change. The initiative will help to develop management and planning tools to prepare for climate change impacts, and to develop strategies to reduce practices that contribute to global warming in the first place - primarily the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.

As part of the Climate SMART initiative, earlier this year Regional Council unanimously approved the corporate Greenhouse Gas Emission Reduction Plan targeted at reducing emissions by 20% from 2002 levels by 2012.

Efforts to date such as the District Energy project in peninsula Halifax and methane gas capture at the former Sackville Landfill will collectively contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 300,000 metric tonnes annually. These, along with other potential community based opportunities, will have a substantial impact on reducing HRM wide greenhouse gas emissions.

“The Climate SMART initiative helps us prepare for severe weather events and improves our local air quality,” says Mayor Kelly. “These are very important elements of public safety and quality of life. We are proud that HRM is being recognized as a leader in this field.”

HRM’s Climate SMART initiative and related sustainable environment strategies were recognized nationally with the Federation of Canadian Municipalities 2005 Sustainable Community Award and provincially with the 2005 InNOVAward.

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For further information please contact:

Mayor Peter Kelly

902-490-4010

Stephen King, Manager - Environmental Performance
902-490-6188

John O’Brien
Manager, Corporate Communications
902-490-6531