GATINEAU, QC, May 17, 2015 /CNW/ - Minister Leona Aglukkaq will travel to Berlin from May 17 to 20, 2015. While in Berlin, Minister Aglukkaq will attend the informal G7 Climate Ministers' meeting as well as the Petersberg Climate Dialogue.
Through the course of the meetings, Minister Aglukkaq will highlight the domestic and international actions that Canada is taking to address climate change while supporting progress towards the development of a fair and effective international agreement that includes meaningful and transparent commitments from all major emitters.
During its Arctic Council Chairmanship, Canada led an initiative to develop a framework to take action on short-lived climate pollutants such as black carbon and methane. Canada is proud that this initiative was successful and that Arctic Council states signed onto the agreement. Building on this, Canada will highlight this successful agreement.
Earlier this week, Minister Aglukkaq announced that Canada plans to reduce its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 30 percent below 2005 levels by 2030. This is a fair and ambitious target that is in line with other major industrialized countries and reflects our national circumstances, including Canada's position as a world leader in clean electricity generation.
In Berlin, Minister Aglukkaq will also highlight Canada's continued commitment to take cooperative action on climate change with continental trading partners, particularly the United States, and will work towards further action in integrated sectors of the economy, including energy and transportation.
Quick Facts
- In 2013, Canada's GHG emissions were 3.1 percent lower than 2005 levels while the economy grew by 12.9 percent over the same time period.
- Canada's per capita greenhouse gas emissions have fallen to their lowest levels since tracking began while the economy has continued to grow.
- Canada boasts the cleanest electricity system in the G7 and one of the cleanest in the world, with almost 80 percent of our electricity supply emitting no GHGs.
- On the international stage, Canada's recent pledge of $300 million to the Green Climate Fund will support the long-term financing goals of the international community, the 2009 Copenhagen Accord and the international community's efforts to address climate change.
- Canada has also fully delivered on its investment of $1.2 billion in fast-start financing, which supports a range of projects focused on climate change adaptation and increasing renewable energy in more than 65 developing countries.
- In other fora, Canada is leading international efforts to tackle short-lived climate pollutants as a founding member of the Climate and Clean Air Coalition and within the Arctic Council. Canada also promotes, in partnership with the U.S. and Mexico, the phase down of HFCs under the Montreal Protocol.
Quote
"Our Government is committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and providing clean air for Canadians while keeping the economy strong. I am looking forward to taking part in this week's meetings in Berlin to highlight Canada's actions to address climate change. Canada will continue to push for a new international climate agreement that includes commitments from all major emitters."
– The Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of the Environment, Minister of the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency and Minister for the Arctic Council
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SOURCE Environment Canada
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Ted Laking, Director of Communications, Office of the Minister of the Environment, 819-997-1441; Media Relations, Environment Canada, 819-934-8008
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