For Immediate Release
July 9, 2015

ST. JOHN’S, NL – The Newfoundland and Labrador Environmental Industry Association (NEIA) is commending the provincial government for signing a Climate Action Statement at the Climate Change Summit of the Americas.

“We are pleased with the provincial government for working with the international community to collectively address climate change,” says Ted Lomond, Executive Director NEIA. “Building climate change action partnerships and sharing expertise abroad is beneficial for the growth of our local green economy.”

The action statement, which was also signed by 22 sub-national governments and cities, includes a commitment to greenhouse gas reduction targets at a jurisdictional level and to join or endorse specific global initiatives to promote sub-national efforts to reduce GHG emissions.

“The government is recognizing that our environment and economy are inextricably linked,” says Lomond. “We face unique environmental challenges in our province, but with those challenges comes an opportunity to develop innovative solutions and market those solutions internationally.”

Lomond says that Newfoundland and Labrador is well positioned to be an international leader in climate change mitigation. “We are world-renowned for our arctic and ocean technology development. We face challenges in terms of our island geography and relative isolation,” says Lomond. “The solutions we develop to address climate change here are of value to similar jurisdictions across the world.”

Climate change will be a focus of NEIA’s Newleef 2015 conference this Fall. Newleef, taking place this year on October 8-9, is Newfoundland and Labrador’s green economy conference which brings industry, academia, government, and the community together to discuss the growth and diversification of the province’s economy through the protection of, mitigation of effects to, or enhancement of the natural environment.

“Newleef continues to grow in size and scope,” says Lomond. “This is an indication of the growing interest by the business community, researchers, government officials, and municipal leaders in this province in the relationship between economy and environment.” More information on Newleef can be found on its website at www.newleef.ca.

“The provincial government’s commitment to climate change action at the Climate Change Summit of the Americas contributes to the growing momentum in the environmental sector of Newfoundland and Labrador’s economy.”

NEIA is a not-for-profit association of businesses that promotes the growth and development of the green economy in Newfoundland and Labrador. NEIA has over 190 members. More information on NEIA can be found at www.neia.org.

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Media Contact
Kieran Hanley
kieran@neia.org
709.237.8190

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