Environment

Protecting our natural resources while advancing a green future for generations to come.

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Overview and measurements

Last updated: July 7, 2025

Preserving New Brunswick’s natural resources and ensuring a healthy environment is critical for today’s residents and future generations. Specific initiatives aimed at protecting clean air and water, advancing sustainability and adapting to environmental challenges will help us enhance our province’s natural beauty and health.
 

Targets

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Tonnes of GHG per million dollars of GDP

2024 state → 323-322
2025 target → 324-311
2026 target → 316-294
2027 target → 296-267
2028 target → 286-253

Data sourced from Environment and Climate Change Canada

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Increase energy efficiency savings

2024 state → 331,000 GJ
2025 target → 331,000 GJ
2026 target → 426,000 GJ
2027 target → 483,000 GJ
2028 target → 500,000 GJ

Data sourced from NB Power

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Improve our outdoor air quality grade at NB stations to "good or better"

% achievement
2023 state → 69%
2024 → TBD
2025 target → 74%
2026 target → 76%
2027 target → 76%
2028 target → 78%

Data sourced from New Brunswick air quality monitoring network

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Ensure good indoor air quality in government owned buildings

To be determined


Historical data

Expand to view the 2019 to 2023 historical data for each target.
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Tonnes of GHG per million dollars of GDP

2023 → 329
2022 → 331
2021 → 323
2020 → 335
2019 → 375

Data sourced from Environment and Climate Change Canada

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Increase energy efficiency savings

2023/2024 → 519,094 GJ
2022/2023 → 329,263 GJ
2021/2022 → 226,348 GJ
2020/2021 → 300,931 GJ
2019/2020 → 410,501 GJ

Data sourced from NB Power

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Improve our outdoor air quality grade at NB stations to "good or better"

% achievement
2023 → 69%
2022 → 75%
2021 → 70%

Data sourced from New Brunswick air quality monitoring network

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Ensure good indoor air quality in government owned buildings

To be determined


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Commitments

  • Update the Clean Air Act and Clean Water Act to guarantee that everyone in New Brunswick has the right to clean air and water.

    Progress and measurement: IN PROGRESS

    New Brunswickers can now use an updated portal to access water quality data for the province's lakes and rivers.

  • Require that all new schools, hospitals, long-term care homes, and other public buildings have modern air filtration, heating, and cooling systems, following ASHRAE 241. For existing infrastructure, we will add suitable air filtration and cooling units.

  • Provide New Brunswick residents 25 per cent off the cost of provincial park passes to encourage exercise and spending time outdoors.

    Progress and measurement: COMPLETE

    On May 13, 2025, government announced that New Brunswick residents to enjoy 25 per cent discount on daily and seasonal provincial park passes.

  • Work with communities to increase active transportation infrastructure, including walking and cycling trails, to build healthier communities.

  • Increase support for home energy retrofits, free heat pump program, and introduce a provincial program for solar retrofits.

    Progress and measurement: IN PROGRESS

    On February 28, 2025, government announced eligible homeowners can now receive up to $15,000 from the provincial and federal governments to help make the transition.

  • Deliver an energy plan that provides affordable, reliable, clean energy for New Brunswickers and New Brunswick businesses. While we move to a 100 per cent non-emitting grid, we will work with the federal government to ensure big emitters bear the brunt of the price on carbon.

    Progress and measurement: IN PROGRESS

    Conducting an NB Power review

  • Ensure all government buildings are net zero and that our vehicle fleet, including school buses, are electrified by 2035.
  • Increase our conservation lands and waters from 10 per cent to 15 per cent and work with communities, First Nations, and experts to develop a plan to reach 30 per cent.
  • Review and update our emergency preparedness plan for dealing with the increasing number of extreme climate change-related weather events.
  • Implement a coastal erosion plan to protect communities.
  • Investigate safer alternatives to pesticides and herbicides. Review the safety of glyphosate using new provincial data. We also commit to following the recommendations of the legislative committee to tighten restrictions on these chemicals, including exploring a ban on aerial spraying.

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