Canada-Chile joint statement on climate change and protected areas

Ottawa, Ontario – June 5, 2017

Minister of Environment and Climate Change Canada, Catherine McKenna, and Minister of the Environment for Chile, Marcelo Mena Carrasco, today issued the following joint statement:

“On the occasion of Canada hosting World Environment Day, the state visit to Canada of Chilean president, Michelle Bachelet, and the 20^th anniversary of the Canada-Chile Agreement for Environmental Cooperation, we celebrate the important leadership between our two countries to advance sustainable development, tackle climate change, and protect our natural heritage for future generations.

“Canada and Chile have enjoyed 20 years of positive environmental engagement through our Canada-Chile Agreement on Environmental Cooperation.

“Canada and Chile share a common vision of the prosperous and sustainable future afforded by advancing clean growth and climate-change action. As members of the Carbon Pricing Leadership Coalition, we are committed to using carbon pricing to reduce emissions, stimulate innovation, and support the transition to a clean-growth economy.

“We remain dedicated to the Climate and Clean Air Coalition, the only global initiative that brings together governments, civil society, and the private sector to reduce short-lived climate pollutants. These efforts not only contribute to achieving the temperature goals of the Paris Agreement but also help to meet the sustainable-development goals related to air quality, health, and agricultural productivity.

“Over the next four years, we will work with Chile to reduce and capture climate-warming methane from the waste-management sector in Chilean cities. The captured methane can then be used for cooking fuel, transportation, and power generation—a new energy source to help local communities.

“Today, on World Environment Day, Canada celebrates the theme of “Connecting People to Nature,” which calls for people around the world to embrace the natural world around them, to appreciate the importance of biodiversity and healthy ecosystems, and to understand the far-reaching consequences of climate change.

“Canada and Chile enjoy a wealth of natural landscapes, from the Canadian Arctic to the archipelago of Tierra del Fuego.  We share a commitment to expanding terrestrial and marine‑protected areas, and Canada supports Chile in hosting the 4^th International Congress on Marine Protected Areas, in September 2017.‎

“We are looking forward to our continued collaboration and leadership ‎on the environment.”

Contacts

Marie-Pascale Des Rosiers
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Environment and Climate Change
613-462-5473

Media Relations
Environment and Climate Change Canada
819-938-3338 or 1-844-836-7799 (toll free)