Canada's Environment Minister to Travel to Warsaw, Poland, for the United Nations Conference on Climate Change Français
OTTAWA, Nov. 18, 2013 /CNW/ - The Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of the Environment, Minister of the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency and Minister for the Arctic Council, will lead the Canadian delegation at the 19th Conference of Parties (COP 19) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in Warsaw, Poland, from November 18-22, 2013.
"Canada is taking a leadership role in international climate change efforts by focusing on delivering significant environmental and economic benefits for all Canadians," said Minister Aglukkaq. "The Government of Canada is committed to establishing a fair and effective climate change agreement that includes commitments by all major emitters. Our actions have resulted in real progress through avenues such as UNFCCC, Arctic Council, and Climate and Clean Air Coalition."
Domestically, through its sector by sector regulatory approach, Canada has already taken action on two of its largest sources of greenhouse gas emissions - transportation and electricity. This approach has made Canada the first major coal user to ban the construction of traditional coal-fired electricity generation units. In fact, in the first 21 years, these regulations are expected to result in a cumulative reduction in greenhouse gas emissions of about 214 megatonnes, equivalent to removing some 2.6 million personal vehicles per year from the road.
Building on this strong record, the Government of Canada is now working with provinces to reduce emissions from the oil and gas sectors while ensuring Canadian companies remain competitive.
Canada continues to achieve success in de-linking greenhouse gas emissions and economic growth. Since 2005, Canadian greenhouse gas emissions have decreased by 4.8 per cent while the economy has grown by 8.4 per cent.
Since 2006, the Government of Canada has taken action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and build a more sustainable environment through more than $10 billion in investments to support green infrastructure, energy efficiency, clean energy technologies and the production of cleaner energy and fuels. Our Government is also making significant investments in domestic climate change adaptation which will support federal programs that improve our scientific understanding of climate change and help Canadians prepare for climate-related impacts, particularly in Canada's North.
Canada has successfully delivered $1.2 billion in fast-start financing to developing countries, our country's largest-ever investment in climate change-related international support. Projects underway in Africa, Asia, and Latin America are delivering positive results such as reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and strengthening capacity to adapt to a changing climate.
In addition to the United Nations process to address climate change, Canada is advancing initiatives to reduce greenhouse gasesand short-lived climate pollutants under the Arctic Council, the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer, with the Climate and Clean Air Coalition, and with the Global Methane Initiative.
Please find more information related to:
Canada's climate change action
Canada's fast-start financing projects
Stay up to date on Canada's participation at COP 19 by following Environment Canada's Twitter page and Facebook page.
SOURCE: Environment Canada
Jennifer Kennedy
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of the Environment
819-997-1441
Media Relations
Environment Canada
819-934-8008
Environment Canada's Twitter page
Environment Canada's Facebook page
(Également offert en français)
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