What is Canada's Healthy Environment & Healthy Economy climate plan?

The Government of Canada established the “A Healthy Environment and a Healthy Economy” plan in December 2020. This plan is intended to help in meeting environmental goals and fulfilling economic needs. In this article, we will discuss this plan.

Canada needs to manage the threats of climate change to the health and economy of Canadians. A Healthy Environment and a Healthy Economy is a climate plan that focuses on making a better future. The plan will help in making life more affordable and Canadian communities more livable.

Making an affordable and livable place for Canadians by reducing energy waste

Homes and buildings contribute to 13 per cent of greenhouse gas emissions in Canada. But construction of better homes and buildings can help Canadians to tackle climate change.

Energy-efficient homes and buildings save money by lowering energy costs. These homes support climate objectives in the long term. Through the Healthy Environment and a Healthy Economy plan, Canadians can improve their living and gathering places and help in reducing pollution.

Also read: What to expect from a future of climate change?

To support energy efficiency in housing units and large community buildings, the Green Municipal Fund (GMF) of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities received C$950 million from the government of Canada in Budget 2019.

This plan will focus on helping homeowners in improving their home energy efficiency. It will also invest in green and inclusive community buildings that will create employment and will help in achieving climate objectives.

Also read: How do Heat Alert and Response Systems (HARS) work in Canada?

Focus on providing clean, affordable transportation and power in every Canadian community 

The transportation sector contributes 25 per cent of the greenhouse gas emissions in Canada. Canada is planning to increase its clean electricity supply by investing in renewable and next-generation clean energy and technology.

It will encourage cleaner modes of transportation, including zero-emission vehicles. Implementation of low and zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) associated with air quality improvements are expected to benefit everyone by reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the long term.

The investment in public transit can also reduce the carbon footprint in Canada. It can also help Canada to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.

This plan will focus on advancing the government’s commitment and helping them to acquire 5,000 zero-emission public transit buses and school buses, through the support of the Canada Infrastructure Bank. The usage of electricity in cars and factories is one of the most important ways to tackle climate change. That’s why the Government of Canada is focusing to end coal-fired power by 2030 in Canada.

Also read: What plans & actions is Canada taking to tackle climate change?

Embracing nature-based solutions to support healthier families and communities in Canada

Canada consists of 28 per cent of boreal forest, 20 per cent of freshwater resources, 24 per cent of wetlands, and the longest coastline of the world. Climate change is threatening nature, but nature is also an important ally in tackling climate change. Nature-based solutions can contribute to reducing global emissions by 2030.

This plan will focus on working with Indigenous communities, non-governmental organizations, municipalities, provinces, and territories to plant two billion trees.  It will also develop a partnership with provinces, territories, private landowners, and others to restore and enhance grasslands and agricultural lands.

Also read: What are the impacts of climate change on the Arctic environment?

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Bottom line

The government of Canada is implementing the key aspects of the Healthy Environment and a Healthy Economy plan for developing jobs, economic growth, and planet conservation. It is addressing the climate crisis and encouraging the use of renewable energy and investing in technologies and clean solutions through this plan.