A policy perspective on Nova Scotia's plans to reduce dependency on fossil fuels for electricity generation and improve air quality

Abstract

Installed capacity of renewable resources to generate electricity is increasing globally. The global share of renewables is expected to grow sharply in the next decade by replacing fossil fuel-fired power generating stations with hydropower, wind, and solar generation. This increasing trend will help reduce air pollution and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from fossil fuel combustion, and contribute to limit the global temperature increase by 1.5 °C. Nova Scotia, Canada, is committed to follow this trend by closing the remaining coal-fired power plants by 2030, although it still relies heavily on coal as its major fuel for electricity generation and failed to meet renewable electricity generation targets of 40% in 2020. Although Nova Scotia is still committed to meet a supply of 80% renewables in less than ten years, it is not clear how this will be achieved. This short review analyzes the provincial plan to reduce dependency on coal and provides an overview of recent developments in policies to reduce air emissions from fossil fuel combustion. Existing monitoring and reporting programs revealed that provincial air emission caps on the electricity sector resulted in a reduction of more than 50% emissions of nitrogen oxides and sulphur oxides from 2002 to 2020. These annual caps, which will be progressively reduced until 2025, have already proven to be an effective strategy to reduce harmful air emissions from power stations in the province. However, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and particulate matter (PM), two harmful air pollutants also relevant to the electricity sector, are not yet regulated by provincial policy. This review recommends a revision in the monitoring and reporting programs and transition to renewables to reduce air pollution. • Nova Scotia, Canada relies heavily on fossil fuels to generate electricity. • Fossil fuel combustion contributes to air pollution globally and in Nova Scotia. • Nova Scotia has committed to close all coal plants by 2030, but implementation is unclear. • Emission caps have helped reduce emissions of nitrogen oxides and sulphur oxides from 2002 to 2020. • Transition to renewables is recommended to reduce air pollution.