UNION OF NOVA SCOTIA MUNICIPALITIES

As the impacts of climate change and other environmental issues become more evident, an increasing number of municipalities are recognizing the need to take steps to increase their sustainability. To assist municipalities in becoming leaders in sustainability, UNSM, with support from Service Nova Scotia & Municipal Relations, established the Municipal Sustainability Office in 2007. By addressing priority issues, such as climate change and energy conservation, municipalities are not only reducing their energy use and greenhouse gas emissions, but are being rewarded by economic, social and environmental benefits. As municipalities take incremental stems now to increase their capacity to address sustainability issues, they are making it easier for future generations to cope with inevitable change.

UNSM realizes that encouraging Nova Scotia municipalities to engage and become leaders in sustainability is only one of our responsibilities. It is also very important we demonstrate our willingness to "walk-the-talk" and "lead by example". As part of our efforts, UNSM is making a commitment to "green" our own internal operations: to look at ways to make our meetings and events, office operation and travel as environmentally responsible as possible. Once we are our “house in order”, we will proceed with developing a green office practices program designed for our municipalities.