GATINEAU, QC, Nov 20, 2017 /CNW/ - 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).
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"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
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