Minister McKenna wraps up successful COP23 in Bonn

News Release

November 20, 2017 – Gatineau, Quebec

Catherine McKenna, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, led a strong and productive delegation at this year’s United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP23) in Bonn, Germany. This global gathering advanced the work of the Paris Agreement so that climate action can be guaranteed for generations to come.

COP23 brought together people from all parts of society to highlight both the challenges and solutions related to climate change, including opportunities to invest in clean growth, and the transition to a clean energy economy. Canada’s diverse delegation to COP 23 included: Indigenous leaders; representatives from the provinces, territories and municipalities; youth; business leaders; civil society, opposition members; and Government of Canada negotiators and experts.

Canada played a leadership role in helping advance the guidelines for the Paris Agreement. Canada is pleased that countries came together to launch the Local Communities and Indigenous Peoples’ Platform; providing a space to share knowledge and amplify their voice. In addition, the adoption of a gender action plan that will help build capacity and support gender representation in future international climate change negotiations and decision-making was a significant achievement for Canadian negotiators.

An important highlight from COP 23 was the launch of the new “Powering Past Coal” Alliance by Minister McKenna and her UK counterpart, Claire Perry. This initiative generated broad interest and support from over 20 countries, cities and states and Minister McKenna is looking forward to continuing this momentum given the numerous health and climate benefits of reducing coal-fired electricity.

Canada also announced the formation of a North American Climate Leadership Dialogue with Mexico and the US Climate Alliance, a bipartisan coalition of 15 U.S. governors committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions consistent with the goals of the Paris Agreement.

Minister McKenna praised Fiji for its role in presiding over COP23. She reiterated Canada’s commitment to protect our oceans and advance global climate action by building the resilience of coastal communities, including Small Island Developing States (SIDS).

Quotes

“I was honoured to lead an inclusive delegation from Canada to COP 23 which demonstrated Canada’s steadfast commitment to implement the Paris Agreement and take global climate action. Canada is pleased to have worked with the UK in launching the ‘Powering Past Coal” Alliance. The world has moved on; coal fired electricity isn’t coming back. We are also pleased to have moved ahead in helping give a greater voice to Indigenous People in our international engagement and advancing a gender action plan.”

– Catherine McKenna, Minister of Environment and Climate Change

Quick Facts

  • COP23 is the informal name for the 23rd Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). The UNFCCC was adopted in 1992 at the Rio Earth Summit, which marked the beginning of the international community’s first concerted effort to confront the problem of climate change.

  • Canada’s negotiators were pleased with progress at COP both on the launch the Local Communities and Indigenous Peoples’ Platform which gives a voice to Indigenous People, and advancing a gender action plan.

  • The “Powering Past Coal” partners include a diverse range of governments, businesses and organizations unified in taking action to accelerate clean growth and climate protection through the rapid phase-out of traditional coal power.

  • Canada has pledged $2.65 billion to help developing countries in their mitigation and adaptation efforts.

  • Canada provided $10 million to help get Jamaica’s first private wind farm built.

  • According to the World Bank, the Paris Agreement will help open up nearly $23 trillion in new opportunities for climate-smart investments in emerging markets, between now and 2030.

Contacts

Marie-Pascale Des Rosiers
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Environment and Climate Change
613-462-5473
marie-pascale.desrosiers@canada.ca

Media Relations
Environment and Climate Change Canada
819-938-3338 or 1-844-836-7799 (toll-free)
ec.media.ec@canada.ca

Environment and Climate Change Canada’s Twitter page

Environment and Natural Resources in Canada’s Facebook page

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