Canada and China agree to work together to advance climate action and clean growth

OTTAWA, Dec. 12, 2017 /CNW/ - Canada is committed to providing leadership and working with our international partners to help move toward a more sustainable model for economic development.

Yesterday, the Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Catherine McKenna, concluded a successful eight-day visit to Beijing and Shanghai, China. Minister McKenna accompanied Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on his bilateral mission during which he met with the President of China, Xi Jinping, the Premier of the State Council of the People's Republic of China, Li Keqiang, and others to discuss opportunities for China and Canada to deepen collaboration on climate change and clean growth. Both countries remain unwavering in their dedication to climate leadership, and will continue to work toward meeting their commitments under the Paris Agreement.  

The Minister also witnessed the historic announcement of the Canada-China Joint Statement on Climate Change and Clean Growth, where Canada's Prime Minister and China's Premier committed to champion the transition to a competitive, low-carbon economy and society, recognizing that the environment and the economy go hand-in-hand.

In Beijing, Minister McKenna met with Xie Zhenhua, China's Special Envoy for Climate Change, and with her Chinese counterpart, Li Ganjie, Minister of Environmental Protection. The Ministers agreed to cooperate on issues related to air quality, water, chemicals management and biodiversity.

Continuing to Shanghai, the Minister visited the Shanghai Energy and Environment Exchange to be briefed on its trading platform, carbon planning and carbon asset management. She also met with the 16 Canadian cleantech businesses who were on Environment and Climate Change Canada's trade mission to develop stronger connections with Chinese companies on clean solutions for clean air, clean water, clean soil and clean energy. The companies explored partnership opportunities with more than 400 Chinese businesses and decision makers in Shanghai, Nanjing and Beijing.

A series of deals were announced or unveiled in the course of the Minister's time in China. The Minister attended the unveiling of a new assembly line, where Vancouver-based Ballard Power's hydrogen fuel cell engines will be built to supply Chinese buses with zero-emissions power. In another example of cross-Pacific collaboration, the Minister attended the launch of a new initiative to share knowledge and expertise on carbon capture and storage (CCS) between two Chinese research institutes and the Saskatchewan-based International CCS Knowledge Centre. The Minister also attended Cycle Capital Management's announcement of the Haisi Cycle Fund, a new industrial technology venture capital fund and the first impact investment fund to focus on clean growth projects in China.

At the conclusion of the trip, Minister McKenna, as the International Executive Vice-Chair, presided over the Annual General Meeting of the China Council for International Cooperation on Environment and Development. The Council is a high-profile international advisory body to the Chinese Government for collaboration and exchange on matters of sustainable development, and Canada has been its lead partner since its inception 25 years ago.

Before departing, Minister McKenna also visited the Great Wall of China to support China's work to establish a national parks system, building on a memorandum of understanding signed last year between China and Parks Canada, and to promote the 2018 Canada-China Year of Tourism.

Minister McKenna now travels to Paris, France, to lead the Canadian delegation at the One Planet Summit hosted by the President of France, Emmanuel Macron.

Quotes

"Canada and China have a longstanding history of collaboration on the environment and climate change. We're building on that relationship with the historic joint statement committing our two countries to champion progress on climate change and clean growth internationally and at home. I'm proud that Canada remains a lead partner in the China Council, advising the Chinese government on environmental protection and sustainability. And it's remarkable to see Canadian companies showcasing clean solutions and striking deals to bring their technology and expertise to customers in China. As we work to develop a stronger trade relationship with China, such partnerships will improve the quality of life of people in China while supporting good, middle-class jobs and prosperity in both countries."

? Catherine McKenna, Minister of Environment and Climate Change

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SOURCE Environment and Climate Change Canada