Consideration of climate change in Nova Scotian environmental assessments: A critical review and recommendations for improvement

Abstract

This study evaluates how climate change (CC) is considered in recent environmental assessments (EA) in Nova Scotia, Canada. We assessed 38 EA reports covering six project types: wind farms, road expansions/utility corridors, quarries, mines, green hydrogen plants, and waste treatment facilities. Reports were scored based on 4 or 5 questions in each of four categories: coverage of basic CC science, greenhouse gas (GHG) accounting, greenhouse gas mitigation, and CC adaptation. Wind farms and road expansion/utility corridor projects scored the highest across most categories, particularly in GHG accounting and mitigation. Quarry expansions and waste treatment facilities scored poorly, with quarry projects receiving the lowest scores in GHG accounting and adaptation. Common weaknesses included inadequate enforcement of mitigation measures and a lack of consideration for carbon sequestration in GHG accounting. Green hydrogen production plants demonstrated strengths in renewable energy sourcing but lacked comprehensive GHG accounting and basic CC science. Mines, though reporting well on basic climate-change science and CC adaptation, had inadequate GHG accounting and mitigation. Environmental assessment practices have improved slightly but can be better aligned with Nova Scotia’s climate action goals. Planners need better integration of sequestration, more consistent accounting, and more consistent enforcement of mitigation strategies. 

Keywords: Greenhouse gas accounting; climate mitigation; climate adaptation; carbon sequestration