The objective of this research was to better understand the potential for hydrogen production associated with Canada’s offshore oil and gas industry and the role that such production can play in supporting the net zero objectives of Newfoundland and Labrador and Canada.
The Net Zero Project is a collaboration within the energy and environmental industries to drive economic growth, diversification, investment, and awareness through the lens of sustainability and the pursuit of net zero in Newfoundland and Labrador’s offshore energy sector.
The project has helped to identify the most promising pathways for the industry to achieve net zero, and has developed policy and regulatory roadmaps in three key areas: electrification via offshore wind; carbon capture, utilization, and storage; and carbon offsets.
The economy of Newfoundland and Labrador (NL) and the lifestyle of its residents have always been deeply connected to the land and ocean, and the natural resources that abound from them. From agriculture and fisheries, mining and energy generation, to tourism, the arts, and the activities of everyday life, we have built systems and narratives that rely on a stable climate and healthy ecosystems to function optimally.
The reality is that we have entered a period of climate instability and what has worked for us in the past is now experiencing vulnerability and strain. Climate change is actively shifting our baseline and we must reframe our decision-making accordingly. We must consider more factors, ask ourselves new questions, and look further ahead than we may have before. Incomplete analysis and short-sightedness at this point in history may not only lead to poor investment outcomes, but even risk to life.
As decision makers invest into economic development initiatives in the province, it is therefore important to consider how the changing climate will impact proposed plans. This discussion paper aims to illustrate the connections between climate change and economic development in NL so that we can move forward in a way that minimizes risk and maximizes benefits for all.
As part of on-going efforts to both inform and learn from community members across the province, the Harris Centre – in partnership with econext and CLIMAtlantic – hosted a series of regional workshops in 2023 to discuss the impacts and adaptation opportunities associated with climate change in Newfoundland and Labrador. These sessions built on Forecast NL, an 18-month initiative by the Harris Centre that brought together key stakeholders for a province-wide discussion on the question: How can NL create economic and social prosperity while mitigating and adapting to climate change?
The primary focus for the 2023 regional workshops was to:
The following report is a summary of workshops held during 2023 in Grand Falls-Windsor, Port Rexton/Trinity East, Bonavista, Port aux Basques, Codroy Valley, and Pasadena.
The Coastal Adaptation Toolkit was developed by CLIMAtlantic to help Atlantic rural coastal communities and property owners plan for the effects of climate change. It is appropriate for use by communities and property owners that are experiencing coastal issues related to erosion and/or short- and long-term flooding impacts.
The intent of the toolkit is to help communities and decision-makers as well as coastal property owners be aware of their coastal environment, the different adaptation options available to them, and the applicability of the options under different scenarios.
