Environment Canada: Atlantic Region News Releases

ST. JOHN'S, April 2, 2004 - The Honourable David Anderson, Minister of the Environment, today announced 52 environmental projects in communities across Canada designed to encourage Canadians to take action to reduce GHG emissions that cause climate change. Four of the approved projects are based in Newfoundland and Labrador.

“Individual Canadians have an important role to play in finding innovative solutions to climate change,” said Minister Anderson. “These investments, coupled with the talent and commitment of voluntary sector organizations across the country, will lead to real reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.”

The projects, which represent a commitment of $2 million, are awarded through Environment Canada's EcoAction Community Funding Program. EcoAction helps locally based, non profit organizations undertake environmental projects that will lead to positive, measurable environmental results and have a positive social and economic impact on the community. Examples of the four successful projects, representing a commitment of $100,000, in Newfoundland and Labrador include:

• the development and implementation of idle-free/reduction zones in School District 10, Avalon East, and
• increasing the awareness and capacity of individuals to engage in the One-Tonne Challenge.

Since 1995, the EcoAction program has funded more than 1,450 projects in support of environmental issues such as clean air, climate change, water quality and nature conservation. To be eligible, projects must encourage community action and awareness, respond to community needs, and obtain matching funding or in kind support from other sponsors. Submission deadlines for proposals to the EcoAction program are February 1st and October 1st of each year.

This latest round of approved projects represents a turning point for EcoAction. The program has been realigned to support the One-Tonne Challenge, a multi facetted public outreach program that involves community action and national promotion to engage Canadians in reducing their personal GHG emissions by one tonne, or about 20 per cent. The program encourages Canadians to take the challenge, and provides the support and tools they need to succeed.

An interactive Web site has been created to provide information and tools, including a personal GHG emissions calculator, and links to related local, regional and national programs. In addition, the publication, “Your Guide to the One-Tonne Challenge” is a colourful, user-friendly tool, providing information on the programs and resources available, and extensive tips and suggestions for reducing emissions at home and on the road.

EcoAction plays an important role in supporting the One-Tonne Challenge by funding community-led and community-based projects that lead to climate-friendly lifestyle and behaviour changes among individual Canadians.

By limiting this most recent submission round to projects with a greenhouse gas emissions reduction theme, EcoAction begins a process that will see the program earmark 50 per cent of available funding to support community projects that are consistent with the objectives of the One Tonne Challenge. The other 50 per cent of EcoAction funds will continue to support other priority environmental issues such as action on habitat and species at risk, water quality and air quality.