Canada-South Africa Memorandum of Understanding on environmental cooperation

Plain language summary

The memorandum of understanding (MOU) seeks to enhance cooperation between Canada and South Africa on environmental issues. It identifies five areas where the two countries will work together: climate change, environmental compliance and enforcement, chemicals and waste management, biodiversity and conservation, and marine litter and plastics pollution. It also allows for additional cooperation in other areas of environmental protection and conservation of mutual interest.

Objective

To enhance cooperation on environmental protection and climate change, and further innovation in addressing areas of mutual interest.

Key elements

The MOU identifies the following areas of cooperation: climate change, environmental compliance and enforcement, chemicals and waste management, biodiversity and conservation, and marine litter and plastics pollution. Additional topics may also be included by joint decision.

Other key elements of the MOU include a commitment to Indigenous Peoples, historically marginalized groups, and women and girls. It will promote the importance of innovation to address climate change, eliminate poverty, and transition to a low carbon economy.

Cooperation under this MOU can be in the form of:

• sharing best practices and lessons learned;
• capacity building and training initiatives;
• participating in meetings and other cooperative activities.

Expected results

The MOU is expected to achieve the sharing of best practices and expertise to improve the protection of the environment and ability to combat climate change in both countries.

Canada’s involvement

Canada values the need for bilateral cooperation with other countries on long-term solutions to ensure strong environmental protection, while advancing economic growth and job creation. Canada and South Africa are both members of a number of multilateral organizations, including the Commonwealth and the G20, and collaborate on important issues such as women’s empowerment, the environment and climate action, and regional security. Canada and South Africa hold strategic bilateral consultations, which cover issues as diverse as foreign policy, trade and investment, innovation, science and technology, the environment and climate change, education and culture.

During the 12th annual Canada-South Africa Bilateral Consultations in May 2018, the two countries signed a Declaration in which climate change and environmental protection were highlighted as potential areas of cooperation.

Results / progress

Activities

No activities have been undertaken to date.