Nova Scotia is collaborating with St. Francis Xavier University in an initiative aimed at reducing methane emissions from the province's largest landfills. The project will involve measuring emissions from various landfills throughout Nova Scotia, enabling the university to identify effective strategies for capturing methane before it is released into the atmosphere.
As part of the research, the university will also evaluate innovative methane recovery systems currently implemented across Canada and internationally. This evaluation aims to ascertain the potential benefits and applicability of such systems for the province. Michelle Thompson, Minister of Health and Wellness and MLA for Antigonish, expressed the importance of this collaboration, stating that the province's universities are "centres of innovation" that can help develop creative solutions to pressing environmental issues.
Thompson, speaking on behalf of Timothy Halman, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, emphasized the government's commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, highlighting its significance in the global efforts to combat climate change. The outcomes of this project are expected to assist municipalities in devising effective methods for diminishing landfill emissions, while also exploring the potential for generating renewable energy from captured methane. This initiative aligns with Nova Scotia's legislated greenhouse gas reduction targets, which aim for emissions to be at least 53% below 2005 levels by 2030, ultimately striving for net-zero emissions by 2050.
David Risk, the Brian Mulroney Institute of Government Research Chair in Climate Science and Policy at St. Francis Xavier University, remarked on Nova Scotia's longstanding leadership in waste management. He noted that this project represents an opportunity to enhance that leadership. The initiative is designed to equip municipalities with the necessary knowledge and tools to make informed decisions that benefit both the climate and local communities, as well as contribute to the province's clean energy future.
The project has been granted funding of $242,060 by the Province through the Sustainable Communities Challenge Fund. This grant program aims to support Nova Scotians in adapting to climate change and mitigating its impacts. Overall, the collaboration between Nova Scotia and St. Francis Xavier University signifies a proactive approach to dealing with the challenges posed by methane emissions and showcases a commitment to a sustainable future.
