Canada-China cooperation on climate change

Plain language summary

The MOU seeks to enhance cooperation between Canada and China on climate change issues. It establishes a forum for ongoing cooperation and action on climate change. Through this MOU, both countries will encourage and promote comprehensive cooperation and partnership in public and private sectors, including government departments; subnational, regional, and local governments; relevant institutions; research centres; businesses and industries; and civil society.

Objective

To enhance bilateral dialogue and cooperation regarding policies and actions on climate change; promote joint cooperation projects to combat climate change; and contribute to the global transition to a low-carbon and climate resilient economy.

Key elements

The MOU identifies the following areas of cooperation: climate change; greenhouse gas mitigation; carbon pricing; transition to clean energy; carbon capture utilization and storage; low-carbon technologies; partnerships in multilateral fora; and any other area they may jointly decide upon.

The MOU outlines the following potential forms of cooperation:

• Sharing best practises and lesson learned;
• Capacity building;
• Joint research initiatives;
• Any other cooperative activity both sides may jointly decide upon.

A Ministerial-level Dialogue on Climate Change is established to facilitate discussion and exchange on bilateral policy issues, global trends and emerging issues related to climate change.

Expected results

The MOU is expected to achieve the sharing of best practices and expertise to improve the protection of the environment in both countries

Canada’s involvement

The MOU builds on the Canada-China Joint Statement on Climate Change and Clean Growth issued by Canada's Prime Minister Trudeau and China's Premier Li Keqiang, in December 2017, and establishes a forum for ongoing cooperation and action on climate change. It will also promote Canada-China cooperation on projects to combat climate change and contribute to the global transition to a low-carbon and climate-resilient economy.

Results / progress

Activities

Canada and China held their first Ministerial Dialogue on Climate Change just before the signing of the MOU on November 1, 2018.

The MOU prescribed that the current Joint Committee on Environment Cooperation be amended to include Climate Change Cooperation. Additional work projects relating to cooperation under this MOU are being developed and will be included at the next meeting of the now Joint Committee on Environment and Climate Change Cooperation which is held annually, alternating between Canada and China.