Does P.E.I. need carbon pricing? Islanders asked to weigh in

Islanders are being askedfour questions in a climate change discussion document released this week by the P.E.I. government.

The questions are:

• Should P.E.I. bring in carbon pricing?
• Should the Island set measurable greenhouse gas reduction targets?
• What do you think would best tackle P.E.I.'s greenhouse gas emissions?
• What else do we need to know when it comes to the Island reducing its greenhouse gas emissions?

"Climate change is a reality. It is something we arefacing now and in the future," the document reads.

"We can't rely on everyone else to solve this is for us. Prince Edward Island needs to be part of the solution."

Feedback on the discussion document is being accepted until July 31.

Carbon pricing

The aim of the mitigation strategy is to pick key items that will give the "biggest bang for the buck" in reducing P.E.I.'s greenhouse gas emissions.

Carbon pricing can come in different forms, and is designed to reduce emissions and offer fundingthat can be used on further climate change initiatives.

P.E.I.'s largest emissions come from transportation at 41 per cent, followed by agriculture at 23 per cent and the heating, cooling and running of buildings at 21 per cent.

Emission reduction goals

The P.E.I. government has previously committed to support the New England Governors' and Eastern Canadian Premiers goal of reducing emissions levels to at least 35 to 45 per cent below 1990 levels by 2030. But whether this is the target established in the mitigation strategy will be part of the discussion.

"The Government of Prince Edward Island has committed to play our part in the national efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions," said Minister of Communities, Land and Environment Robert Mitchell.

"A climate change mitigation strategy for our province will explore avenues of how we can be the most effective in regards to those emission reductions and what needs to be done to achieve these goals."

• Read the discussion document and submit comments here

The first draft of the climate change mitigation strategy, being developed byDunskyEnergy Consulting, will be released in mid-August.

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