AA18CR13ADD1

AS (2018) CR 13
Addendum 1

2018 ORDINARY SESSION

________________________

(Second part)

REPORT

Thirteenth sitting

Tuesday 24 April 2018 at 3.30 p.m.

Debate:

Climate change and implementation of the Paris Agreement

The following texts were submitted for inclusion in the official report by members who were present in the Chamber but were prevented by lack of time from delivering them.

Mr O’CONNELL (Observer from Canada) – In support of Canada’s Paris Agreement commitments, Canada adopted the Pan-Canadian Framework on Climate Change and Clean Growth in December 2016. It reflects the Canadians’ belief that taking action to reduce emissions is also an opportunity to invest in a more innovative economy, create jobs and develop the economy.

The framework is the strategy of the federal, provincial and territorial governments to meet Canada’s national greenhouse gas reduction targets and foster clean growth. It is a national agreement to price carbon pollution – and the Canadian Government will introduce legislation this year so that carbon pricing is implemented by the end of 2018. The framework also commits Canada to: phasing out coal-fired electricity by 2030; working toward net zero energy ready building codes by 2030; developing a clean fuel standard; developing regulations to reduce methane emissions by 40% to 45% by 2025; developing a national strategy for zero-emission vehicles; and enhancing carbon storage in forests and agricultural lands.

Canada has invested $21.9 billion over 11 years on green infrastructure, including for climate change mitigation and adaptation, and over $4 billion on measures to support clean technology and a low-carbon economy. The government is engaging Canadians and Canadian businesses to find innovative solutions to lower our greenhouse gas emissions. Just last month, our federal government launched the Low Carbon Economy Challenge, putting up $500 million in funds for the most promising project ideas that will lower emissions and generate clean growth.

Canada is also committed to supporting the implementation of the 2030 Agenda and its 17 sustainable development goals. To support this agenda and Paris Agreement implementation, Canada has committed to contributing $2.65 billion in international climate financing between 2015 and 2020, including $300 million to the Green Climate Fund, $30 million to the Least Developed Countries Fund, $150 million to the G7 African Renewable Energy Initiative, and $2.5 million to the United Nations Environment Programme’s Clean Technology Centre and Network.

Canada’s effort to build resilience to climate change and to make climate-smart infrastructure investments is an opportunity to expand our economies through green growth; to bend the greenhouse gas curve and put us on a more sustainable path; and to save human lives and protect people.