News Release

FREDERICTON (GNB) – More than $34 million has been allocated to dozens of climate-related projects and the provincial government intends to invest about $2 million before the end of the fiscal year.

The government had committed to direct $36 million in carbon tax revenue for the 2021-22 fiscal year to the Climate Change Fund. The investment is in initiatives that will help reduce greenhouse gas emissions, increase resiliency to the impact of climate change and foster educational opportunities.

“Climate change is happening now and our commitment to being part of the solution can be seen through our support of these important projects,” said Environment and Climate Change Minister Gary Crossman.

Examples of the projects include:

• $3 million to support NB Power’s Low Income Energy Efficiency program;
• $1.64 million to support climate change adaptation measures for the Fundy Quay Development;
• $250,000 for the First Nations Energy Efficiency Program;
• $1.5 million for a partnership with Opportunities NB and the New Brunswick Innovation Foundation to support innovation in clean technology; and
• $10 million to support small modular reactor research and development.

“There are also numerous projects totalling close to $200,000 in the anglophone and francophone school systems that are bringing the climate-change discussion and solutions right into classrooms provincewide,” said Crossman.

In July, the provincial government and NB Power announced a three-year incentive program for people to buy electric vehicles. Financial support for the program, which comes from the Climate Change Fund, will be approved annually. For fiscal 2021-22, $1.95 million was approved.

Since the program was launched on July 8, New Brunswickers have received almost $370,000 in rebates for new and used vehicles, and chargers.

“I think the variety of projects speaks to our commitment to ensure our province is on the leading edge of climate action,” said Crossman.

A complete list of projects is available online.