October 15, 2023

Canada’s Halifax is Showing the World how to Tackle Climate Change

topic:	Climate action
located:	Canada
editor:	Karan Anand

Canada’s Nova Scotia province, located on the east coast, has been severely impacted regions by climate change. The average annual temperature in Nova Scotia will rise by an estimated 2.6°C by 2050 and 4.5 °C by the end of the century.

These rising temperatures have increased precipitation and erratic rainfall patterns across Nova Scotia in recent years. As rainfall patterns change, extreme weather events become more frequent. From post-tropical storm Fiona to the Upper Tantallon wildfire and historic flooding in July, Nova Scotians are becoming more and more worried about the impacts of climate change.

Luckily for the residents of this picturesque province, the provincial government of Nova Scotia has recognised the threat of climate change and devised a plan to fight it. Leading this fight is Nova Scotia’s capital city, Halifax.

Halifax’s ambitious climate action plan, HaliFACT, aims to make the city more resilient and achieve a net-zero economy by 2050. As most Canadian cities grapple with the consequences of climate change, Halifax’s efforts serve as a valuable model for adaptation and sustainability.

Adopted three years ago, HaliFACT is funded partially by a climate action tax on citizens’ property tax bills, contributing approximately $20 million to the latest budget.

Recognising Halifax’s vulnerability to storms due to coastal erosion, the city is investing in projects like the Shore Road in Eastern Passage, which aims to protect vulnerable coastal areas from erosion. This initiative involves creating natural plant slopes, breakwaters, raised trails, and tree planting.

The city also uses HaliFACT funds for infrastructural improvements, such as replacing ageing bridges with structures designed to withstand extreme weather events. Additionally, discussions with public works staff are underway to prevent severe flooding by implementing innovative solutions like permeable pavement in frequently flooded areas.

The city is also slowly moving away from natural gas and adopting renewable energy sources. Halifax’s Solar City program, which offers solar energy financing to property owners, is being reimagined to encompass all buildings in the municipality, including private homes.

The city also acknowledges that it needs to reduce greenhouse emissions to achieve a net-zero economy. Using HaliFACT funds, it identified that 70 per cent of Halifax’s greenhouse gas emissions originate from residential, commercial, and industrial buildings. Therefore, the city is focusing on retrofitting existing buildings to improve energy efficiency lowering fuel and electricity consumption emissions.

Halifax’s climate team also advocates for a greener energy grid, emphasising the importance of renewable energy projects. The city has also hired a consulting firm to assess climate risks to critical infrastructure, ensuring that investments are directed towards safeguarding these assets.

And most importantly, Halifax is actively engaging its residents in its climate action initiatives. The city recognises the need to combat climate change collaboratively and firmly believes that public awareness and participation are crucial for success.

Halifax’s response to extreme weather events and its commitment to climate action initiatives are commendable models for cities across Canada and beyond. By investing in renewable energy, coastal resilience, infrastructural improvements and public engagement, Halifax is demonstrating its determination to address the impacts of climate change.

Image by Jan Walter Luigi.

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