News Release
New Climate Change Guide for Development Community
(Wednesday, July 4/07)---The local development and construction industries are helping HRM meet the challenge of a sustainable environment by working collaboratively to promote voluntary climate change management tools and best practices guides among their members.
Councillor Andrew Younger, Chair of Regional Council’s Sub-Committee on Energy and Underground Services, says sustainability is one of the greatest challenges facing every Canadian municipality, with climate change emerging as the most significant.
“HRM is no exception, facing sea level rises, increased storm surges and more frequent intense weather situations,” Councillor Younger said. “ Our Climate SMART (Sustainable Mitigation Adaptation Risk Toolkit) program, a national award winning collaborative partnership involving all three levels of government and private sector companies, has taken an integrated approach to climate change mitigation and adaptation.”
He said a number of climate change management tools and guides have been developed, including the “Climate Change - Developer’s Risk Management Guide”.
The Nova Scotia Home Builders Association (NSHBA), one of the industry partners, is sponsoring a joint workshop with HRM and the Urban Development Institute of Canada (UDI) tomorrow to provide information on the developer’s guide.
“Energy efficient homes built through NSHBA’s programs, such as R-2000 and Energuide for New Houses, provide for significant greenhouse gas emission reductions, the leading cause of global warming” says Paul Pettipas, Chief Executive Officer of the NSHBA. “ The new Risk Management Guide provides best practice guidance on adaptation measures that can be taken as well.”
Kevin Riles, Chair of UDI (Nova Scotia), says “This integrated approach to climate change mitigation and adaptation helps the local development industry better understand the causes and effects of climate change. It provides the knowledge and tools to mainstream climate change considerations into everyday decision making.”
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Regional Council’s Energy and Underground Services Committee
Councillor Andrew Younger, 490-7035
Nova Scotia Home Builders Association (NSHBA)
Paul Pettipas, Chief Executive Officer, 450-5554
Urban Development Institute of Canada (UDI)
Kevin Riles, National Chairman, 440-7704 (cell)
HRM’s Climate Change Programs
Stephen King, Manager, Sustainable Environment Management Office, 490-6188
