Climate Change in Yukon—Yukon departments have not done enough to respond to climate change

Climate Change in YukonYukon departments have not done enough to respond to climate change

Whitehorse, 5 December 2017—Today, the Legislative Assembly of Yukon was presented with the results of an audit on climate change led by Ms. Casey Thomas, Principal of the Office of the Auditor General of Canada. This audit examined whether selected Government of Yukon departments had worked to adapt to the impacts of climate change and to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Research shows that the impacts of climate change are being felt across Canada, but even more strongly in the North. Adapting to these impacts and reducing the greenhouse gas emissions that cause them are therefore even more important in the territories.

“We noted that the government had created a climate change strategy and made 70 commitments to respond to climate change. These were good first steps in providing leadership and direction”, said Ms. Thomas. “However, the commitments were not ranked in a particular order, and most did not have milestones or completion dates, which would make it difficult to measure progress.”

The audit found that the Department of Environment, the Department of Energy, Mines and Resources, and the Department of Community Services had not done enough to adapt to the impacts of climate change. Neither had these three departments and the Department of Highways and Public Works done enough work to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

“The departments need to turn their commitments into concrete action to successfully adapt to the impacts of climate change and to reduce greenhouse gas emissions”, said Ms. Thomas.

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The report “Climate Change in Yukon” is available on the Office of the Auditor General of Canada website.

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