Canada-Jordan environmental agreement

Plain language summary

The Agreement on the Environment between Canada and Jordan was signed in parallel to the Canada-Jordan Free Trade Agreement, and serves as an instrument for environmental cooperation. The Agreement requires parties to encourage high levels of environmental protection, to foster good environmental governance and promote transparency and public participation in drafting environmental laws. 

The Agreement also creates a framework for undertaking environmental cooperative activities which allow for policy dialogue and information exchange to help strengthen environmental protection in both countries. Implementation of the Agreement is done through a Committee on the Environment, comprised of representatives from both countries. The Agreement serves as a mechanism for Canada and Jordan to interact and promote joint environmental cooperation efforts.

Objective

This Agreement commits both parties to encourage high levels of environmental protection, to foster good environmental governance, to promote sustainable development and to encourage transparency and public participation. It also creates a framework for undertaking environmental cooperation. 

Key elements

Commitments to ensure high levels of environmental protection and the effective enforcement of environmental laws.

A non-derogation clause that obligates the countries not to relax their environmental laws to attract trade or investment.

A commitment to maintain appropriate procedures to conduct environmental impact assessments, and allow for public participation in these procedures.

Provisions to ensure that interested persons can request the investigation or alleged violations of environmental laws.

A commitment to develop environmental cooperation programs and activities, subject to availability of resources.

A dispute resolution mechanism for both governments to address any matter that may arise under the Agreement.

The Environment Chapter within the FTA recognizes the need to implement the FTA in a manner consistent with environmental protection and conservation and affirms environmental obligations under domestic law, as well as their international obligations under multilateral environmental agreements.

Expected results

Facilitate collaboration between Canada and Jordan on environmental priorities, aimed at maintaining and potentially improving high levels of environmental protection, in parallel to increasing bilateral trade flows.

Provide effective mechanisms to raise and resolve concerns about the effective enforcement of domestic environmental laws.

Canada’s involvement

This agreement is aligned with Canada’s trade diversification strategy, which ensures that progressive elements are included within free trade and other bilateral agreements, which reflect inclusivity and diversity provisions.

The federal government has committed to encourage provinces to agree to be bound by the Canada–Jordan Environment Agreement.

Results / progress

Activities

No activities have been undertaken to date.