Minister Aglukkaq returns to Canada after participating in United Nations climate conference in Lima, Peru

News Release

December 15, 2014 – Gatineau, Quebec – Environment Canada

Minister Leona Aglukkaq has concluded a successful week-long visit to Lima, Peru, where she led Canada’s delegation to the 20th Conference of the Parties (COP 20) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) from December 9 to 12, 2014.

During the high-level segment, Minister Aglukkaq delivered Canada’s national statement, reiterating Canada’s commitment to the development of a fair and effective international agreement that includes meaningful and transparent commitments from all major emitters. The Minister also highlighted Canada’s strong domestic action and investments in adaptation, and reiterated our strong interest in a global phase-down of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), the world’s most potent and fastest-growing greenhouse gases (GHGs). The Minister also highlighted Canada’s recent pledge to the Green Climate Fund.

While in Lima, Minister Aglukkaq met with colleagues from Mexico, Australia, China, Switzerland, the European Union, France, and the United States, as well as key international organizations including the World Bank Group. In a meeting with the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Ban Ki Moon, Minister Aglukkaq emphasized Canada’s commitment to an international agreement that contains meaningful commitments from all major emitters. The Minister also highlighted the significant progress being made in international forums such as the Arctic Council and the Climate and Clean Air Coalition on developing initiatives to reduce GHG emissions and short-lived climate pollutants.

Minister Aglukkaq also met with provincial and territorial ministers who were part of Canada’s delegation to COP 20. Canada is committed to meaningful collaboration with the provinces and territories as we all work towards defining the country’s intended nationally determined contributions. The actions of all Canadian jurisdictions play an important part in Canada’s progress to reduce the country’s overall GHG emissions and they are an important part of the effort for a new international post-2020 climate change agreement.
Minister Aglukkaq also hosted an event to profile Canadian leadership on the incorporation of traditional knowledge into environmental decision-making.

Quick Facts

Canada accounts for less than two per cent of global GHG emissions and has one of the cleanest electricity systems in the world—with nearly 80 per cent of our electricity coming from sources that emit no GHGs.
Canada’s economy has increased 10.6 per cent, while Canada’s greenhouse gas emissions have decreased by 5.1 per cent between 2005 and 2012.
In 2012, Canada became the first major coal user to ban the construction of traditional coal-fired electricity generation units.
Canada’s transportation regulations will significantly contribute to long-term emissions reductions in Canada. 2025 passenger vehicles and light trucks will emit about half as many GHGs as 2008 models.
Canada is making it a priority to limit the growth of HFCs and raised this issue with international leaders throughout COP20 in Lima. If left unchecked, these GHGs are projected to increase substantially over the next 10 to 15 years.
Canada’s significant contribution to the Green Climate Fund is in addition to a previous investment in Fast Start Financing that Canada successfully delivered on, which has funded projects focused on climate change adaptation and increasing renewable energy in more than 60 developing countries.

Quote

“Canada is pleased that we have reached an agreement on a framework that will include all major emitters for the first time. As we have long said, for any international agreement to be effective every major emitter must do their part, and the ‘Lima call for climate action’ puts us on a path towards that. As we approach next year’s meeting in Paris, Canada will continue to take decisive actions domestically to reduce our emissions while we work with our international partners as a strong advocate for a final agreement that includes commitments from all major emitters.”

– The Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of the Environment, Minister of the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency and Minister for the Arctic Council