Minister Heurtel announces the results of the ninth Québec-California carbon market auction

QUÉBEC CITY, Nov. 22, 2016 /CNW Telbec/ - The Minister of Sustainable Development, Environment and the Fight against Climate Change, David Heurtel, today made public the results of the November 15, 2016 auction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emission allowances that was held jointly with California. This was the ninth joint auction held since the Québec and California markets were linked on January 1, 2014.

In all, 76,960,000 emission units of 2015 and 2016 vintage were sold at a unit price of $17.29 CAD ($12.73 USD) and 1,020,000 emission units of 2019 vintage were sold at a price of $17.29 CAD ($12.73 USD). The auction generated gross income in the order of 155 million Canadian dollars for Québec. Total auction income to date has reached more than 1.4 billion dollars in Québec.

"The carbon market is the centerpiece of Québec's strategy for fighting climate change. In addition to ensuring GHG emission reductions, it is a green fiscal tool that bolsters the modernization and sustainable development of our economy. By 2020, more than 3.3 billion dollars will have been invested to support Québec's businesses, municipalities, institutions and private citizens in their transition to a low-carbon world. Together, we can fight climate change in order to ensure a better quality of life for our children. Let's do it for them!" Minister Heurtel stated.

Québec is aiming to reduce its GHG emissions by 20% below 1990 levels for 2020, by 37.5% for 2030, and also adhered to the UNDER 2 MOU framework, aiming at a reduction between 80% and 95% by 2050. This pathway follows the recommendations for industrialized countries made by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).

The summary of the results of the November 15, 2016 auction is available on the Ministère's website  at http://www.mddelcc.gouv.qc.ca/changements/carbone/avis-resultats-en.htm.

SOURCE:   Emilie Simard Press Officer Office of the Minister of Sustainable Development, the Environment and the Fight against Climate Change Tel.: [phone]

INFORMATION:   Media Relations Ministère du Développement durable, de l'Environnement et de la Lutte contre  les changements climatiques Tel.: [phone]

SOURCE Ministère du Développement durable, de l'Environnement et de la Lutte contre les changements climatiques

Media Relations, Ministère du Développement durable, de l'Environnement et de la Lutte contre les changements climatiques, Tel.: [phone]; Source: Emilie Simard, Press Officer, Office of the Minister of Sustainable Development, the Environment and the Fight against Climate Change, Tel.: [phone]