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Premiers commit to programs on climate change, GHG emissions

April 15, 2015   by Canadian Underwriter


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The premiers of Canada in attendance at the Quebec Summit on Climate Change have agreed to commit to the implementation of programs and measures to adapt to climate change and reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, among other items.

The premiers are adopting a long-term perspective to facilitate the achievement of near-term and long-term GHG reduction targets

In a declaration posted online on Quebec Premier Philippe Couillard’s website on Tuesday, the Canadian premiers – excluding the premiers of Alberta and Prince Edward Island, who were unable to attend due to their upcoming elections – sought to foster a transition to a lower-carbon economy by committing to:

* Adopting a long-term perspective to facilitate the achievement of near-term and long-term GHG reduction targets;

* Advancing innovation and the development and deployment of technologies needed to transition to a lower-carbon economy;

* Promoting actions that support intergovernmental and cross-sector linkages in addressing climate change and that are inclusive of all sectors of the economy;

* Implementing programs and measures to adapt to climate change and reduce GHG emissions;

* Strengthening pan-Canadian climate change cooperation, in particular by sharing information, expertise and best practices in order to reduce GHG emissions and increase adaptation initiatives in order to build more resilient populations, infrastructures and economies in the face of climate risks;

Related: More extreme rainfall events expected, climate change summit hears

* Making a transition to a lower-carbon economy through appropriate initiatives, which may include carbon pricing, carbon capture and storage and other technological innovations;

* Better coordinating GHG emissions reporting systems among jurisdictions;

* Fostering investments in the development of resilient infrastructure and energy networks to reduce the GHG emissions associated with the production and consumption of energy;

* Implementing policies to reduce GHG emissions, which may include improving climate change literacy, increasing energy efficiency and conservation, or the use of clean and renewable energy;

* Partnering with the federal government in a concerted effort to develop an ambitious contribution from Canada at the 21st session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC);

* Promoting the actions taken by provinces and territories as well as the contribution made by Federated States and regional governments in reaching the international objectives aimed at countering global warming, notably during the 21st session of the Conference of the Parties to the UNFCCC; and

* Disseminating the declaration to the various bodies involved in the fight against climate change, both in Canada and internationally.

In a press release on Tuesday, New Brunswick Premier Brian Gallant said that N.B. is focused on the need for both results and balance to advance his province’s goals. “We are focused on job creation,” said Gallant. “Developing our natural resources and energy projects in a responsible way is part of our plan for economic growth. Having a strategy to help combat climate change is part of our plan to create jobs responsibly.”

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