Nunavut Climate Change Strategy

Nunavut Climate Change

Strategy

D e p a r t m e n t o f S u s t a i n a b l e D e v e l o p m e n tMinistère du Développement Durable

ChangementsClimatiques:

Stratégiedu Nunavut

October 2003Octobre 2003

Front Cover Photo by Jack Hicks

NUNAVUT CLIMATE CHANGE STRATEGY

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Message from the Premier, the Minister of Sustainable Development and the Minister of Energy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3

Section 1 – Climate Change in Nunavut . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4

1.1 Climate and the Greenhouse Effect . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4

1.2 Climate Change In Nunavut . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6

Section 2 – International and National Action on Climate Change . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7

Section 3 – Challenges and the Need for a Nunavut Climate Change Strategy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8

3.1 Challenges . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8

3.2 The Need for a Climate Change Strategy for Nunavut . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11

Section 4 – Climate Change Strategy for Nunavut . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12

4.1 Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12

4.2 Government of Nunavut Commitment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12

4.3 Goals and Objectives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13

4.4 Guiding Principles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14

Section 5 – Business Plans and Actions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16

5.1 Developing and Updating Business Plans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17

5.2 Roles and Responsibilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17

5.3 Monitoring and Reporting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18

REFERENCES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20

Appendix – Climate Change Glossary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21

Since the Kyoto Protocol was negotiated in 1997, jurisdictions around the world and in Canada have beendeveloping strategies to address the environment and economic challenge of climate change. We recognizeNunavut’s responsibility to contribute to this initiative in order to support Canada’s position as a leader amongnations in protecting the global environment. As such, the Government of Nunavut supports global and localactions to reduce the impacts of future climate change, including reducing emissions of the greenhouse gasesbelieved to cause enhanced climate change.

We have first-hand knowledge of environmental conditions and are now witnessing the impacts to theenvironment because of climate change. These changes are making it increasingly difficult to travel and access ourresources. It is possible that our environment, and the land and wildlife resources we depend on, and the currentsocial and economic systems could be further influenced by the predicted change.

In recognition of the serious consequences and impacts that climate change may have on allNunavummiut, its land, wildlife and the environment, the Government of Nunavut initiated the necessary workto develop a Nunavut Climate Change Strategy. On behalf of the Government of Nunavut, we are pleased topresent a strategy with broad goals and objectives that will enable us to work together with all Nunavummiut,Governments and stakeholders to take action on climate change.

We would like to extend our sincere appreciation and thanks to all Nunavummiut, the Government ofCanada and to all those organizations that participated and committed their time and resources to the developmentof the strategy.

MESSAGE FROM THE PREMIER, THE MINISTER OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT AND THE MINISTER OF ENERGY

Paul OkalikPremier

Olayuk AkesukMinister, Sustainable Development

Edward PiccoMinister, Energy

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Paul Okalik Olayuk Akesuk Edward Picco

Greenhouse Gases (GHG)

GHG are naturally occurring gases in the Earth’satmosphere that trap some of the sun’s heat and prevent itfrom escaping into space, thereby keeping the Earth’s tem-perature at an average of 15 C. GHG include watervapour, carbon dioxide (CO ), methane (CH ), nitrousoxide (N 0),hydrofluorocarbons (HFC’s), perfluorocar-bons (PFC’s) and sulphur hexafluoride (SF ). Three ofthese gases (CO , CH and N 0) are of particular concernbecause they are closely associated with human activities.These activities have upset the natural balance of GHGthat has existed in our atmosphere for thousands of years.CO is the most significant GHG released by humanactivity, and the main contributor to climate change.

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1. CLIMATE CHANGE INNUNAVUT

Although climate change is a naturalprocess, human activities are causing the Earth’sclimate to change quicker and more dramaticallythan at any time in our history. Changes to climatewill have a greater impact on the Arcticenvironment than other areas of the world.

1.1 Climate and the Greenhouse Effect

The weather we experience every day iscaused by the interaction of the sun, the ocean,land and the atmosphere (layers of air and gasabove the Earth). The typical weather conditionsof an area, either seasonally or yearly, are referredto as climate. The atmosphere plays an importantrole in the type of weather and climate weexperience.

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Illustration of the Greenhouse Effect

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Some of the heat from the sun is trappedin the atmosphere by gases referred to asgreenhouse gases (GHG). These gases prevent heatfrom escaping into space - insulating the earth -keeping it and surrounding air warm. Withoutthis natural “greenhouse effect”, the Earth wouldbe much colder than it is and could not supportlife.

Greenhouse gases result from a variety ofnatural processes and before industrialization theirconcentration in the atmosphere was relativelyconstant. The burning of fossil fuels (for examplegas, diesel and coal) has resulted in significantincreases in the concentration of greenhouse gases,notably carbon dioxide, in the atmosphere. Theincreased GHG are enhancing the insulating effectand causing the Earth to get warmer.

Increasing concentrations of GHG in theatmosphere over the last 100 years have resulted inan increase of average global temperatures byapproximately 0.5 degrees centigrade ( C); thisincreasing temperature is referred to as “globalwarming”. In some parts of Canada the rise intemperature over the last century has beenapproximately 1 C. Some predictions suggest thatthe Earth’s average temperature may increase by upto 3 C over the next 100 years. While theseincreases seem small, the Earth has neverexperienced this level of warming over such a shortperiod of time.

Global warming will have an impact onthe Earth’s climate that far exceeds a temperaturechange. Temperature is only one part of theclimate system and a change in one part could leadto a series of reactions that disrupt weatherpatterns around the world. The term “globalclimate change” more clearly describes thesituation the world is facing. Ecosystems, wildlifeand humans are able to adapt to changes inclimate that occur over long periods of time.However, with climate change occurring overdecades instead of centuries or millennia, theability of ecosystems to adapt is challenged.

Climate Change Strategy

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Projected Temperature Change Over Next 50 Years

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1.2 Climate Change in Nunavut

Researchers believe that, in the northernregions of the world, the effects of climate changeare already being seen. Ice in the Arctic isestimated to have thinned by nearly 40% in thelast 30 years. Serious impact on animalsdependent on cold climates - such as polar bearsand high Arctic caribou - are predicted aschanging weather patterns disrupt their habitatand activities. Potential impacts of global climatechange in Nunavut may be as follows:

• General increases in temperatures (by 5C to 7 C in the next 100 years) withshorter winters, more rain and moreextreme weather;

• Disappearance of over one-half of exist-ing permafrost;

• Flooding of low-lying coastal areas as aresult of the rising sea levels;

• Loss of glaciers and possibly all perma-nent sea ice;

• Introduction of new diseases; and

• Loss of wildlife, fish and plant speciesand the introduction of new species.

These are just a few words ofNunavummiut witnessing and experiencing thechanges in our climate:

“Things have changed so much it ishard to rely on what you knewtraditionally anymore. Whathappened years ago is different thanwhat it is today.”

Baker Lake

“Most of the areas that we use forour travel are not as useable…due tothe lacks of snow, they are not reallynavigable. It has really affected someof the hunters as the lack of snow ishindering the harvesting”.

Iqaluit

“…while weather is more uncertainand unpredictable these days, hilawill continue to change and sopeople will have to go along with theweather….People will adapt, butthis will not be easy for the Inuitwho have long depended on theirobservations of the weather tosurvive”.

Kugluktuk

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Environment canada’s Global Climate Change webpage, Fact Sheet #3 - “Climate May Change our Lives”. Seewww.msc.ec.gc.ca/cd/climate/factsheets/sheet3_e.cfm

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2.0 INTERNATIONAL ANDNATIONAL ACTION ON CLIMATE CHANGE

Around the world, people have recognizedthat global climate change is one of the mostserious environmental issues facing the planet. Forover 10 years countries have been taking action tounderstand the causes and potential impacts ofclimate change. International agreements toreduce the accumulation of greenhouse gases inthe atmosphere have also been initiated:

• At the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio deJaneiro over 180 countries adopted the United Nations FrameworkConvention on Climate Change(UNFCCC) to achieve stabilization ofgreenhouse gas concentrations in theatmosphere to prevent dangerousimpacts to our climate system.

• In 1997, the same countries initialed theKyoto Protocol, which included acommitment from Canada to reduceits greenhouse gas emissions to a level6% below its 1990 levels by the year2013.

• Canada’s plans to address climate changeincluded the development and imple-mentation of a strategy that sought thebroad support of provincial and terri-torial governments and industry. TheNational Implementation Strategy wascompleted in the Fall of 2000. Underthis strategy, Canada’s federal, provin-cial and territorial governments agreedto develop their own action plans torespond to climate change.

• In November 2002, the federalgovernment released its ClimateChange Plan for Canada and inDecember 2002 the federalgovernment announced the Canadianratification of the Kyoto Protocol.


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The National Climate ChangeStrategy Process

In 1997 federal, provincial andterritorial first ministers directed their energyand environment ministers to examine theimpacts, costs and benefits of implementing theKyoto Protocol, as well as options for addressingclimate change. The National Process wasestablished and began with analysis of theimplications for meeting the Kyoto target. In2000, a coordinated national approach toclimate change was advanced including: theNational Implementation Strategy and the FirstNational Business Plan. The strategy provides aframework for a Canadian response thataddresses both emission reduction andadaptation to the effects of climate change. TheFirst National Business Plan includes measuresthat will be undertaken to implement thestrategy.

3.0 CHALLENGES AND NEED FORA CLIMATE CHANGE STRATEGY FOR NUNAVUT

3.1 Challenges

The pressing need for economicdevelopment, dependence on imported fossil fuelsand high rate of population growth are all factorsthat will affect Nunavut’s ability to control itsgreenhouse gas emissions.

In 2001, Nunavut’s total GHG emissionsare forecast to be 743 kilo-tonnes (kt). Based oncurrent forecasts of population growth andeconomic activity, Nunavut’s emissions areincreasing rapidly and it is predicted that by 2013,our emissions could be 23% higher than the 1990levels. Emissions may be significantly higher ifmining projects are developed. Therefore,reducing emissions will have significant short termnegative impacts on Nunavut’s economic growthunless we change our current practices.

While Nunavut is likely to experiencesignificant impacts resulting from climate change,its GHG emissions represent only about 0.1%(one tenth of one percent) of Canada’s emissions,which accounts for approximately 2% of theworld’s total emissions.

Despite Nunavut’s small contribution, theamount of GHG emissions produced per person(i.e. the per-capita emissions) is among the highestrates in the world. At approximately 27.4 tonnesannually, our per capita emissions exceed theCanadian average of 20.6 tonnes per year andgreatly exceeds the average of 13.6 tonnes of the35 industrialized countries that have pledgedemission reductions under the Kyoto Protocol.

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See “Nunavut Energy and Environmental Issues - Backgrounder Paper”, December 2000

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Countryor

Region

1995Annual

Emissions( kilotonnes CO )

Population(1995)

Per CapitaEmissions

( tonnes CO )

Nunavut*696 25,358 27.4

NWT*1,090 39,636 27.5

Yukon**730 30,887 23.6

Canada61,000 29,620,000 20.6

Australia482,000 18,070,000 26.7

United States5,581,000 263,200,000 21.2

Greenland***851 58,863 15.2

Denmark78,100 5,230,000 14.9

Finland56,200 5,110,000 11.0

Russian Federation1,526,000 148,300,000 10.3

Iceland2,650 270,000 9.8

Norway38,100 4,360,000 8.7

Sweden37,200 8,830,000 4.2

Comparison of Per-Capita GHG Emissions by Country or Region

*1996 data**Estimated using 1996 data from Statistics Canada and inventory of Yukon Greenhouse Emissions***Emissions for Greenland were estimated from fuel consumption Statistic

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In terms of energy use, the generation ofelectricity from all sources in Nunavut accountsfor approximately 40% of the fuel consumed,followed by heating at 28% and transportation at24% . Other activities account for the remaining8% of fuel consumed annually. It is estimated thatthe Government of Nunavut alone spendsapproximately $121 million annually on energyand utility services representing almost 18% of thegovernment’s total budget.

In terms of energy supply, Nunavut’scurrent annual energy requirements are metthrough an estimated 260 million litres ofimported refined petroleum products per year. Inthe north, there are opportunities to harness windand solar resources; however, it is necessary todetermine if these technologies can operateproductively in Arctic conditions. Hydro andnatural gas resources occur in Nunavut, but theseresources are too far from the communities to beeconomically developed at this time. As a result,Nunavut is forced to depend on imported fossilfuels for all of its energy requirements.

Interest in energy efficiency may be lowerin Nunavut than in other jurisdictions sinceenergy costs are subsidized for many consumerseither through public housing or employeesubsidy programs. The immediate benefits ofreduced energy costs by conservation are notrecognized. This presents a challenge to increasingpublic awareness and encouraging action whenactual energy and associated environmental costsare unknown to the general consumer.

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Challenges to reducing GHGemissions and adapting to

impacts

Cold climate

Long distances between smallcommunities

Limited energy supply options

Cost of energy

Awareness of issue

Economic growth

See “Nunavut Energy and Environmental Issues - Backgrounder Paper”, December 2000See Ikuma II Report, March 2002

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Increasing public awareness and concernfor climate change among Nunavummiut ischallenged by the immediacy of other significantissues such as health care, education andemployment. Implementation of the strategy willcompete with these issues for time and fundingresources. Building awareness will requirecommunity and government leadership todemonstrate the priority of climate change.

The consequences of climate change arenot all negative if the change occurs slowly and wehave the opportunity to adapt. Some of thepossible benefits to Nunavummiut are lowerheating costs in winter, longer shipping season andlonger growing seasons in the south resulting inlower prices in our grocery stores. Climate changemay also present major opportunities to expandinto new areas of environmental technology andservices, increase exports, and create jobs.

In summary, Nunavut’s dependence onpetroleum products, limited energy supplyalternatives, need for economic development, andits high population growth rate present significantchallenges to reducing GHG emissions. Reducingemissions may require Nunavut residents toundertake substantially more aggressive measures

than other Canadians, at a time when this newterritory needs new economic opportunities tomeet the needs of its growing population.

3.2 The Need for a Climate ChangeStrategy for Nunavut

The potential and current impacts ofclimate change to the environment and toNunavummiut’s traditional activities and lifestylehave compelled the Government of Nunavut tosupport global and local actions to reducegreenhouse gas emissions and prepare foradaptation.

The strategy will allow us to work towardssustainability so that we are able to provide similaropportunities for future generations. It will benecessary to ensure that actions within theGovernment of Nunavut continue to becoordinated with national actions and programs inorder to ensure that goals of the north are equallyconsidered.

The implementation of the strategy willestablish Nunavut as a leader in responding toclimate change for the Canadian Arctic throughthe use of Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit (Inuitknowledge) and scientific research.


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There is need for a Nunavut Strategyto address climate change that will:

Enable us to work towards sustainableeconomic development

Protect the health and integrity of thenatural environment; and

Efficiently meet the needs ofNunavummiut for energy and

development

4.0 CLIMATE CHANGE STRATEGYFOR NUNAVUT

4.1 Introduction

The Climate Change Strategy andassociated business plans are intended to guideNunavut’s response to climate change and assistCanada in meeting its commitment to greenhousegas emissions reduction in the Kyoto Accord. Thestrategy is intended to set the broad direction foraction on climate change and business plans willcontain the specific actions to be implemented tomeet the goals and objectives of the strategy. InOctober 2000, the Minister of SustainableDevelopment announced that the Government ofNunavut is committed to developing a ClimateChange Strategy for Nunavut.

4.2 Government of Nunavut Commitment

The Government of Nunavut supportsCanada’s commitment to reducing greenhouse gasemissions in a manner that minimizes the negativeimpact to our health, environment, wildlife andother natural resources, and economy. As stated bythe Premier in September 2002:

“We have first-hand knowledge ofenvironmental conditions and arenow witnessing the impacts to theenvironment because of climatechange. These changes are making itincreasingly difficult to travel andaccess our resources.”

“The Kyoto Accord is a vital step indealing with climate change…[thisProtocol] is the only internationalinstrument currently proposed thatbegins to deal with these importantissues on this scale.”

Nunavut’s commitment to climate changewas reaffirmed in June 2002, when theGovernment of Nunavut stated that Nunavut iscommitted to the Kyoto Protocol.

• The Department of SustainableDevelopment has the mandate withinthe Government of Nunavut to moni-tor the impacts of climate change onthe Nunavut environment, and thedevelopment of strategies or materi-al(s), which identify, report on, orillustrate the impacts of climatechange on Nunavut andNunavummiut.

• The Qulliq Energy Corporation has themandate for addressing energy use,energy conversation, and alternativeenergy development in Nunavut, andany related projects, particularly with acapital component.

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In October 2002, the Premier announcedthe creation of the Qulliq Energy Corporation andthe first Minister of Energy for the Government ofNunavut. The re-organization of energy (electricalpower and fuel) supply and distribution will be inplace April 2004 and represents a majorcommitment by the Government of Nunavuttoward energy use and management in Nunavut.

Nunavut is committed to reducinggreenhouse gas emissions and being part of thesolution to meeting the Canadian targets underthe Kyoto Protocol. The Government of Nunavutbelieves that climate change issues can only beaddressed through cooperation and collaborativeaction. It is only through cooperative planningthat the benefits of reducing GHG emissions berealized and the impacts of climate change onNunavut minimized.

4.3 Goals and Objectives

The goals of the Nunavut Climate ChangeStrategy over the next ten years to the year 2013are to:

• Control and reduce greenhouse gasemissions;

• Identify and monitor climate changeimpacts; and

• Develop adaptation strategies.

The objectives of the Nunavut ClimateChange Strategy are:

• To engage Nunavummiut including gov-ernment, non-government, industryand the public in discussions sur-rounding climate change and green-house gases.

• To advance our knowledge of climatechange impacts and adaptation strate-gies in Nunavut through InuitQaujimajatuqangit and scientificresearch.

• To build partnerships at the community,regional, national and circumpolar lev-els that will share knowledge on emis-sion reduction strategies and climatechange impacts and adaptation.

• To increase awareness and understandingin Nunavut on the issue of global cli-mate change and the need to controlgreenhouse gas emissions.


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• To encourage Nunavummiut includinggovernment, non-government, indus-try and the public to take action tocontrol greenhouse gas emissionsthrough energy management andalternative energy supply technology.

• To identify and implement achievableand practical actions for both the shortand long term that will result in futuresustained reductions in greenhouse gasemissions in Nunavut, taking intoconsideration the economic, environ-mental and social costs and benefits.

• To identify economic opportunities thatmay arise from the use of more effi-cient equipment and cleaner technolo-gy.

• To identify potential sources of fundingthat may be utilized to implement theactions identified.

4.4 Guiding Principles

The strategy will be guided by thefollowing principles:

Pijitsirniq - The Government of Nunavutwill demonstrate leadership by diligently andresponsibly taking action to control emissions ofgreenhouse gases and responding to climatechange. This leadership serves all Nunavummiutand is based on knowledge and ability.

Aajiiqatigiingniq - Individuals, communi-ties and industry will be provided a meaningfulopportunity to share ideas and participate in deci-sion-making for initiatives that will directly affectthem.

Piliriqatigiingniq - Ensures a wise use ofresources in Nunavut through sharing andcollaborative relationships based on the balancedapplication of Inuit qaujimajatuqangit andscientific research.

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Pillimmaksaniq - Community involve-ment and implementation of initiatives enhancesself-reliance, empowerment and capacity.

Comprehensive Approach - The responsi-bility for meeting the goals and objectives of thestrategy must be shared by all sectors of society,including governments, the private sector and thegeneral public. It is through this principle thatNunavut supports Canada in meeting its commit-ment to emission reduction through internationalagreements.

Phased Approach - The strategy will adopta long-term, responsible approach addressingimpacts of climate change and to achievingsustained greenhouse gas emission reductionsensuring that negative impacts to Nunavummiuthealth and the environment is minimized.

Balanced Approach - Controlling emis-sions must be done in ways that carefully considerNunavut’s developing economy by minimizing thenegative impacts to the economy and, where pos-sible, identify economic opportunities.

Effective Mitigation - Action shouldadvance the environmental, economic and socialgoals of residents of Nunavut, ensuring thatNunavut’s response to control greenhouse gasemissions supports the overall priorities of theGovernment of Nunavut.

Precautionary Approach - Given theuncertainty of the impacts of climate change andthe significant risk that the potential effects ofclimate change poses for human andenvironmental health, a “weight of evidence” orprecautionary approach will be used to justifypreventative actions rather than wait for fullscientific certainty.


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5.0 BUSINESS PLANS ANDACTIONS

Actions in Nunavut, to reduce theemissions of greenhouse gases and address theimpacts of climate change, will be developed byconsidering community and sectoral concerns andthe socio-economic interests of all Nunavummiut.Actions will build upon and coordinate withexisting legislation, policies and initiatives of theGovernment of Nunavut and will be inaccordance with our obligations under theNunavut Land Claims Agreement.

The specific actions to be taken to achievethe goals and objectives of this strategy will becontained in business plans and should beorganized under five themes. The themes are:

Enhance awareness and understanding

Public awareness and education areessential if Nunavummiut are tounderstand what climate change means tothem and to encourage everyone to takeaction.

Government leading by example

The government can be a positive exampleby demonstrating the range of existing,and new, options to reduce emissions.

Encouraging action across sectors

Promoting action on climate change innon-government sectors of the economy.

Promoting technology development andinnovation

Developing new energy supply options toreduce annual fuel imports.

Investing in knowledge and building afoundation

Focuses on improving data, broadeningobservations, developing networks andenhancing Nunavut’s scientific capacity.

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5.1 Developing and Updating BusinessPlans

The Nunavut Climate Change Strategyoutlines the goals and objectives upon whichbusiness plans will be based. The business planswill need to be developed and updated every threeto five years to reflect changes in technology,priorities and funding. Public consultations are animportant component in developing businessplans for the strategy.

Development and implementation offuture business plans must take into considerationany changes in both the national and internationalcontext as well as the priorities of the Governmentof Nunavut through its stated priorities and policyinitiatives and implementation of the NunavutLand Claims Agreement.

5.2 Roles and Responsibilities

In June 2002, the Government ofNunavut specified roles within the government toaddress climate change and energy issues.

• The Department of SustainableDevelopment has the mandate tomonitor the impacts of climate changeon the Nunavut environment, and thedevelopment of strategies or materi-al(s), which identify, report on, orillustrate the impacts of climatechange on Nunavut andNunavummiut.

• IKUMA, PWS - Petroleum ProductsDivision and the Qulliq EnergyCorporation have the mandate foraddressing energy use, energy conver-sation, and alternative energy develop-ment in Nunavut, and any relatedprojects.

The mechanism to oversee implementa-tion of the Nunavut Climate Change Strategy andassociated business plans is a Deputy MinistersSteering Committee (DMSC). Membership willinclude but not be limited to Deputy Heads from


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Sustainable Development, Executive andIntergovernmental Affairs, Public Works andServices, Nunavut Housing, and Qulliq EnergyCorporation, with the Deputy Head of EIA aschair. This committee will be responsible for:

• The implementation, monitoring andperformance evaluation of the actions.

• Preparation of annual reports, workplans and budget.

• Preparation of and update businessplans.

5.3 Monitoring and Reporting

Implementation of actions described inbusiness plans will require the commitment of allNunavummiut to be successful. The businessplans will include monitoring and reporting thatare necessary to evaluate progress against thestrategy’s goals and objectives with a commitmentto report to the stakeholders and the generalpublic. The business plans will be reviewed andupdated every three to five years to reflect newinformation, changes in technology, priorities andfunding, and ensure a continuing commitment tothe goals and objectives of the strategy.

The Deputy Ministers SteeringCommittee will determine the requirements forreporting business plan implementation on anannual basis. The process should also include aformal review every three to five years to evaluatethe progress of implementing the strategy andreporting to the public through the LegislativeAssembly.

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Department of Sustainable DevelopmentP.O. Box 1000Station 1110Iqaluit, NUX0A 0H0Tel: (867) 975 - 5929or 1 - 866 - 222 - 9063Fax: (867) 975 - 5980

www.gov.nu.ca

Qulliq Energy CorporationP.O. Box 580Iqaluit, NUX0A 0H0Tel: (867) 975 - 3003

Fax: (867) 975 - 3024


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FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:

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REFERENCES

A Matter of Degrees: A Primer on Climate Change, Environment Canada, 1997.

Canada’s National Implementation Strategy on Climate Change, National ClimateChange Process, October 2000.

Canada’s First National Climate Change Business Plan, National Climate ChangeProcess, October 2000.

Greenhouse Gas Emission Forecast for Nunavut 1996 – 2013, Ferguson Simek Clark,unpublished, November 1999.

Northwest Territories Greenhouse Gas Strategy, March 2001.

Nunavut Energy and Environmental Issues – Background Paper, Arctic Energy Alliance,unpublished, December 2000.

The Canada Country Study: Climate Impacts and Adaptation – Canadian ArcticSummary, Environment Canada, 1997.

Ikuma II Report – Meeting Nunavut’s Energy Needs, Government of Nunavut,unpublished, March 2002.


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APPENDIX– Climate Change Glossary

Adaptation

The process by which an organism or species becomes adjusted to its environment. In the context ofclimate change, adaptation refers to the adjustments inhabitants of the earth would need to make in theface of irreversible changes. These adjustments would be made primarily at the local climate level. Ifmitigation measures were able to reduce the scale of change or extend the length of time over which itoccurs, adaptation would be much easier.

Alternative Energy

Energy derived from non-fossil fuel sources.

Atmosphere

The envelope of air surrounding the Earth. Most weather events are confined to thetroposphere, the lower 10 km of the atmosphere.

Carbon Dioxide (CO )

Recognized as the principal contributor to increasing atmospheric levels of greenhouse gases and thereforeto global warming (see greenhouse gases). Society's use of energy is the largest factor in this carbondioxide generation. Carbon dioxide is produced by burning fossil fuels such as coal, oil and natural gas.It is removed from the atmosphere through ocean absorption and through photosynthesis by growingplants.

CFCs (Chlorofluorocarbons)

Gaseous, synthetic substances composed of chlorine, fluorine, and carbon. They have been used asrefrigerants, as aerosol propellants, as cleaning solvents, and in the manufacture of plastic foam. CFCs aresuspected of causing ozone depletion in the upper atmosphere.

Climate

The synthesis of day-to-day weather variations in a locality. The climate of a specified area is representedby the statistical collection of its weather conditions during a specified interval of time. It usually includesthe following weather elements: temperature, precipitation, humidity, sunshine, and wind velocity.

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Climate Change

Refers to changes in the climate as a whole, not just one single element of the weather. Global climatechange, therefore, refers to changes in all the interconnected weather elements of the Earth.

Climate Controls

Fairly permanent factors that shape the nature of climate in a locality. They include solar radiation,atmospheric circulation, topography, distribution of land and water, and land use (e.g., urban, rural, andforest).

Cogeneration

The use of waste heat from electricity generation, such as exhaust from gas turbines, for either industrialpurposes or heating nearby buildings.

Ecosystem

An integrated and stable association of living and non-living resources functioning within a definedphysical location.

Enhanced greenhouse effect:

Humans are contributing significant amounts of heat-trapping gases to the atmosphere through the useof fossil fuels. The increased concentrations of these gases are enhancing the natural greenhouse effect. Itis the “enhanced greenhouse effect” that is expected to cause a large and rapid rise in average globaltemperatures.

Fossil Fuels

Coal, petroleum, and natural gas are called fossil fuels because they are made of fossilized, carbon-richplant and animal remains. These remains were buried in sediments and compressed over geologic time,slowly being converted to fuel. Fossil fuels can be extracted from the sediment by humans million of yearsafter its deposition and its stored energy can be used as fuel when it is burned.

Global Warming

Strictly speaking, global warming and global cooling refer to the natural warming and cooling trends thatthe Earth has experienced all through its history. However, the term “global warming” has becomepopularized as the term that encompasses all aspects of the potential climate changes that will be broughtabout by an increase in global temperatures.22

Greenhouse Effect

A warming of the Earth’s atmosphere caused by the presence in the atmosphere of certain heat-trappinggases (e.g., water vapour, carbon dioxide, methane). These gases absorb heat radiation emitted by theEarth, thereby retarding the loss of energy from the system to space. The greenhouse effect has been aproperty of Earth’s atmosphere for millions of years and is responsible for maintaining the Earth’s surfaceat a temperature that makes it habitable for human beings (see enhanced greenhouse effect).

Greenhouse Gases (GHGs)

Carbon dioxide (CO ), methane (CH ), nitrous oxide (N O), perfluorocarbons (PFCs), sulfurhexafluoride (SF ) and hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs). These gases together absorb the earth's radiation andwarm the atmosphere. Some greenhouse gases occur naturally but are also produced by human activities,particularly the burning of fossil fuels. They are usually measured in carbon dioxide equivalents. TheUnited Nations says the GHGs mostly responsible for causing climate change are carbon dioxide (CO ),methane (CH ) and nitrous oxide (N O).

Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit

Inuit knowledge pertaining to language, culture, values and beliefs, survival skills, use of resources,humane and sustainable harvesting and understanding of society, ecology and environment.

kilotonne (kt):

Metric measure of 1000 tonnes (1 tonne equals 2204 pounds).

kilowatt (kW):

Power of 1000 watts, approximately 1.34 h.p.

kilowatt hour (kWh):

Amount of energy equal to operating one kilowatt for one hour.

Lifecycle Cost:

A product’s life cycle is made up of the activities that go into making, using, transporting and disposingof the product with each activity having an associated cost.


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Methane (CH )

Methane is one of the three major greenhouse gases responsible for climate change (see greenhouse gases).Although there is less methane than carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, methane is a more effective heat-trapping greenhouse gas. An estimate of the global warming potential of methane is 21 times that ofcarbon dioxide. Methane comes from the decay of matter without the presence of oxygen. Humanactivities such as rice cultivation, the rearing of some farm animals, biomass burning, coal mining andnatural gas venting are increasing the input of methane into the atmosphere.

Mitigation

The term used to cover measures that seek to avoid, reduce or delay global warming by reducing thoseemissions of atmospheric gases that are of human origin or within human control.

Monitoring

The process of checking, observing, or keeping track of something for a specified period of time or atspecified intervals.

Nitrous Oxide (N O)

Nitrous oxide is one of the three major greenhouse gases responsible for climate change (see greenhousegases). Soils and oceans are the primary natural sources of nitrous oxide. Humans contribute to nitrousoxide emissions through soil cultivation and the use of nitrogen fertilizers, nylon production and theburning of organic material and fossil fuels. Combustion and biomass burning are sources of nitrousoxide emissions. Agricultural practices may stimulate emissions of nitrous oxide from soils and play amajor role in the build-up of nitrous oxide in the atmosphere.

Non-renewable resources:

For the purposes of this document, non-renewable resources refers to natural resources that are notnaturally replenished once they have been harvested. Non-renewable resources can be used up completelyor else used up to such a degree that it is economically impractical to obtain any more of them. Fossilfuels are examples.

Ozone (O )

Is gas created naturally and also by reactions in the atmosphere involving gases resulting from humanactivities, including NOx or nitrogen oxides, from motor vehicles and power plants.

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Renewable resources:

Natural resources that have the capacity to be naturally replenished despite being harvested (e.g., forests,fish, wind, solar). The supply of natural resources can, in theory, never be exhausted, usually because it iscontinuously produced.

Residual/Waste Heat

Energy lost as heat in the exhaust gases and water jackets of diesel-electric generators.

Sink

Any process, activity or mechanism that removes, and stores, greenhouse gases from the atmosphere.Forests and agricultural soils that absorb and store CO are known as "carbon sinks" under the KyotoProtocol.

Solar Radiation

The total solar radiation coming from the sun and all of the sky. It includes the direct beam from theunclouded sun as well as the diffuse radiation arriving indirectly as scattered or reflected sunlight fromthe sky and clouds.

Source

Any process or activity that releases a greenhouse gas or a precursor to the atmosphere.

Weather

State or condition of the atmosphere with respect to heat or cold, wetness or dryness, calm or storm, andclearness or cloudiness for a certain period of time.


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Sources:

Canada Proposes Targets for Reductions in Global Greenhouse Emissions, Backgrounder 3: A Lexicon ofClimate Change. Global Climate Change, Government of Canada, December 1, 1997.

A Matter of Degrees: A Primer on Climate Change. Global Climate Change, Government of Canada,1997.

Megascience: The OECD Forum, Global Change of Planet Earth. Organisation for EconomicCooperation and Development, 1997.

A Glossary of Climate Change Acronyms and Jargon. Information Unit for Conventions (IUC), UnitedNations Environment Programme, The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate ChangeSecretariat, 1997.

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Current English. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1987. NRI,Inuktitut climate change glossary, website http://www.taiga.net/c-ciarn-north/inuktitutglossary.html

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Nunavut Climate Change Strategy

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Transcript of Nunavut Climate Change Strategy