Québec, Ontario, British Columbia and California unite to advance the fight against climate change

QUEBEC, Dec. 8, 2014 /CNW Telbec/ - In a joint statement issued today, the Government of Québec and the governments of Ontario, British Columbia and the State of California reaffirm their common commitment to the worldwide fight against climate change.

Québec has made fighting climate change a priority for many years. This is why the government has intensified its efforts to reduce Québec greenhouse gas emissions by 20% below 1990 levels by 2020 and increase the resilience of Québec society to the impacts of climate change. It is for this very reason that Québec developed its 2013-2020 Climate Change Action Plan, which addresses energy efficiency, green energy, sustainable land development and the development of clean technologies, for uses in such areas as the electrification of transportation. Finally, Québec took a pioneering position side-by-side with California in setting up a cap-and-trade system for greenhouse gas emission allowances, which it linked to California's system on January 1, 2014.

At the moment when world negotiators have gathered in Lima to establish the bases for a new international agreement on climate change in the run-up to the 2015 Paris Conference of the Parties, the four subnational states, spurred by a common ambition to build a prosperous, sustainable and lower-carbon future, are expressing their will to pursue joint efforts to fight against climate change in order to encourage the implementation of ambitious climate-friendly measures worldwide. They all recognize the threat that climate change represents, to both the environment and the economy, and state their desire to work together towards greenhouse gas reduction targets in the near future.

"The consequences of climate change are very real. Urgent action is required, and the time has now come to make decisions based on the kind of world we want to leave our children. Québec, just like its partners, fully shoulders this responsibility and is taking important steps that will not only contribute to worldwide GHG emission reduction efforts, but will also re-launch Québec's economy," stated the Minister of Sustainable Development, Environment and the Fight Against Climate Change, Mr. David Heurtel.

"The time to take swift, collective action on climate change is now. Ontario is proud to be among many jurisdictions in North America that recognize the urgent need to stop the irreparable damage caused by climate change. This statement affirms our resolve to lead by example, encourage other regions to do their part and leave our future generations with the legacy of a healthy, prosperous planet." - Glen Murray, Minister of the Environment and Climate Change

"It is important for jurisdictions like British Columbia to demonstrate the many ways we can contribute to global climate action, with targets and policies like the revenue neutral BC carbon tax at home and by creating solutions like clean LNG, as an example to countries building their plans for Paris in 2015." – British Colombia Environment Minister Mary Polak

"California has been a leader in developing effective policies to cut carbon pollution and combat climate change. Our experience demonstrates that committing to a clean energy future is also a powerful means to drive economic growth. But no one state or province can do this alone. This statement is another sign of how California is working with other states and regions in North America and around the world to make real progress in reducing greenhouse gases and to build momentum toward an international agreement in Paris next year." – Matthew Rodriquez, California Secretary for Environmental Protection

The joint statement is available on the Web site of the Ministère du Développement durable, de l'Environnement et de la Lutte contre les changements climatiques: http://www.mddelcc.gouv.qc.ca/changements/joint_statement_qc-on-bc-ca.pdf.

SOURCE:	INFORMATION:
Marie-Catherine Leduc Cabinet of the Minister of Sustainable Development, the Environment and the Fight Against Climate Change Tel.: [phone]	Media Relations Ministère du Développement durable, de l'Environnement et de la Lutte contre les changements climatiques Tel.: [phone]

 

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

SOURCE: Marie-Catherine Leduc, Cabinet 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]