NEWS RELEASE
MINISTRY OF NATURAL RESOURCES AND FORESTRY
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Ontario protecting the environment and fighting climate change
Province investing in tree planting and ecosystem health
Ontario is investing in programs to improve ecosystem health in urban and rural communities across the province in order to help fight climate change. These programs are part of Ontario's Climate Change Action Plan and are funded by proceeds from the province's carbon market.
Kathryn McGarry, minister of Natural Recourses and Forestry, was in Guelph today to announce support for two programs that aim to reduce greenhouse gas pollution. They include:
• Support to reduce the costs of tree planting for landowners in urban areas, as part of the province’s initiative to plant 50 million trees by 2025.
• The development of a Land Use Carbon Inventory which will allow Ontario to assess the potential of agriculture, forestry and other land uses, such as wetlands and grasslands, to emit, remove and store carbon.
Fighting climate change while protecting the environment is part of our plan to create jobs, grow our economy and help people in their everyday lives.
Quotes
“Our government is committed to increasing our knowledge of how natural systems can store greenhouse gases, and investing in successful tree planting to create more forests near our cities, parks and communities across Ontario. Forests are critical to reducing carbon in the atmosphere, and these projects are a key part of our fight against climate change.” - Kathryn McGarry, minister of Natural Resources and Forestry
“Our government is making important investments that will strengthen our agricultural system while helping us lead the fight against climate change. I’m thrilled to see this kind of announcement being made right here in Guelph.” - Liz Sandals, MPP for Guelph
Quick facts
• Ontario is investing $380,000 in the 50 Million Tree program and $750,000 in the Land Use Carbon Inventory from its carbon market in 2017/18.
• Ontario’s cap on pollution has, so far, generated more than $976 million in proceeds from two auctions. Cap and trade auctions are held four times a year. Proceeds must by law be invested in programs that help Ontario families and businesses save money and lower greenhouse gas emissions from transportation, industry, buildings, waste, electricity and agriculture.
• Ontario initiated the 50 Million Tree Program in 2008 as part of its ongoing commitment to fight climate change by planting 50 million trees by 2025 and establishing new forests across Ontario.
• The Climate Change Action Plan and carbon market form the backbone of Ontario's strategy to cut greenhouse gas pollution to 15 per cent below 1990 levels by 2020, 37 per cent by 2030 and 80 per cent by 2050. The government will report on the plan's implementation annually and review the plan at least every five years.
Learn more
Cap and Trade in Ontario
50 Million Tree Program
Ontario’s Climate Change Action Plan
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