OTTAWA, Feb. 21, 2017 Canada continues to provide strong leadership on climate change and to work with international partners towards a low-carbon economy.
Today, Minister McKenna met with participants at a workshop organized by Environment and Climate Change Canada for international experts to share ideas on carbon markets, which help countries and companies collaborate to reduce their emissions. Carbon markets are among the most effective tools to leverage public and private investments to create a cleaner, more innovative economy and to protect our environment.
Minister McKenna, who played a key role in leading negotiations on cooperative approaches at the 2015 Paris Climate Conference, spoke to Canada's support for carbon-market approaches to address climate change while stimulating investments in green infrastructure and low-carbon innovation.
The workshop is an opportunity for experts from more than 30 countries and international organizations to informally share their views and ideas on the rules and procedures regarding carbon markets. Such technical decisions among countries are important to support the implementation of the Paris Agreement.
Today's workshop is part of a series co-organized by Environment and Climate Change Canada along with internationally recognized experts in the field of carbon markets, including the International Energy Agency, the International Centre for Trade and Sustainable Development, and the International Institute for Sustainable Development.
Quote
"I'm very proud of Canada's leadership in facilitating the discussions among technical experts on carbon markets, which is one of the most effective ways we have to create a clean-growth economy. No single country can address climate change alone. But, by working together, we can make progress towards achieving the goals set out in the Paris Agreement."
– Catherine McKenna, Minister of Environment and Climate Change
Quick facts
- Through article 6 of the Paris Agreement, parties recognize the value of cooperative approaches, such as carbon markets, as a means to provide businesses with certainty to drive investment and innovation to help reduce emissions.
- In December 2016, Canada's first ministers adopted the Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change—a federal, provincial, and territorial plan to grow the Canadian economy, to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and to help Canada's communities adapt to a changing climate, including through a national approach to carbon pricing.
- Canada was among the first countries to endorse the Carbon Pricing Leadership Coalition, a voluntary initiative that brings governments, the private sector, and civil society together to support and encourage the successful implementation of carbon pricing around the world.
- Along with 19 other signatory countries, Canada endorsed New Zealand's ministerial declaration on carbon markets during COP21, which aimed at boosting lawmaker and investor confidence in the future of emissions trading schemes.
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SOURCE Environment and Climate Change Canada
Caitlin Workman, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Environment and Climate Change, 819-938-9436; Media Relations, Environment and Climate Change Canada, 819-938-3338 or 1-844-836-7799 (toll free)
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