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Our meeting here in Buenos Aires represents the first opportunity
for all Environment Ministers under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate
Change to address the climate change agenda post-Kyoto.
Last year in Kyoto we worked
hard to put in place targets for greenhouse gas reductions in Annex I countries. Canada
intends to meet the majority of its Kyoto commitment at home. We believe that taking
action domestically is beneficial to our environment, to the health of our citizens, and
to our economy.
But action at the global level is equally important. The unfinished work from Kyoto
must be completed if this Protocol is to enter into force. Canada is committed to working
out the rules of the international mechanisms in ways that will help developed countries
meet their targets in a fair and flexible manner, and that will contribute to the overall
sustainable development of developing countries.
This Conference will be a success if we emerge with a clear, realistic, approach and
firm timelines on defining the three Kyoto mechanisms. We must ensure parallel progress on
all mechanisms.
My personal background in the area of international development tells me that the Clean
Development Mechanism holds tremendous potential. I welcome the work by Uganda, Honduras
and other members of the G-77 in bringing forward their views.
In September, I co-hosted, with Brazil and Argentina, a Ministerial Forum on the CDM. I
was gratified by the participation of my colleagues, the open discussion that took place
there, and pleased that the group agreed to work together with all Parties to put the CDM
in place by the year 2000.
Colleagues, the Clean Development Mechanism is a win-win-win mechanism. Firstly, it is
a win for the environment. It is also a win for sustainable development in developing
nations and a win for developed nations. It will help us achieve our Kyoto targets.
Done properly, the CDM will result in increased cooperation on new technologies
globally. The development and use of technology is a key aspect of Canada’s climate
change efforts. We welcome the activities being developed here and look forward to working
actively with other parties on this important issue.
Canada recognizes that many developing nations are very concerned
about their own environmental issues, including climate change, and they are acting. We
know that a global response to the issue and a global commitment to reductions are
necessary. Canada will work within the global community to achieve these goals and
welcomes the leadership shown by Argentina and others toward limiting emissions.
We must recognize the differences in countries’ responsibilities for emissions and
capacities to contribute to solutions. Some non-Annex I countries want to act now, and are
looking for a third path. I would encourage and support ongoing informal dialogue on the
technical issues, concepts and a full range of possible options.
Similarly, Canada will continue its work in inter-sessional meetings and at the next
Conference of the Parties to include relevant anthropogenic sinks, including forestry and
agricultural practices and soils. Currently, we are developing the relevant databases and
science for these sinks.
Progress at this conference is imperative if we are to mitigate the worst impacts of
climate change. The trends of climate change are all around us. In Canada, in the year
since Kyoto, we have experienced the warmest summer on record in many parts of our
country. We have seen unusual weather events affecting agricultural production and
accelerated ice cap and glacier melt. We have had unusually severe forest fires in our
fragile north and, last January, went through a devastating ice storm that left hundreds
of thousands of Canadians without heat and light for up to three weeks.
The events of the past year have heightened Canada’s awareness of the
vulnerabilities of our ecosystem and the need for adaptation measures. While Canada’s
experiences are different from those in developing countries, Canada looks forward to
working with all countries and international organizations to respond to their urgent
sustainable development and adaptation requirements.
Canada is taking action at home. Immediately following Kyoto, the Prime Minister of
Canada met with the Premiers of all the Canadian provinces and territories. They confirmed
that climate change is an important global issue, and that Canada must do its part to
address it.
I, and my colleague, the Honourable Ralph Goodale, Minister of Natural Resources, are
working together with about 450 Canadian experts, representing the full spectrum of
Canadian stakeholders. They are advising us on the best ways to make significant
reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.
In February, the Government of Canada established the Climate Change Action Fund, a
three-year, $150 million program that is a first step to help Canada reach its minus six
per cent goal. The new Action Fund is prompting concrete early actions to reduce
emissions, particularly in the area of new technologies.
The government itself is achieving significant success in reducing emissions in its own
operations. But many other Canadians are doing their part. Corporations in Canada, such as
TransAlta and Suncor, to name but a few, are securing early- and long-term reductions of
emissions in their operations. Federal and provincial governments have committed to
providing credit for early action for Canadian companies who do act now.
Canadians at the grassroots level are actively involved in reducing greenhouse
emissions as part of their efforts to create cleaner, healthier neighbourhoods. There are
now more than 60 members of Canada’s 20 percent club – municipalities committed
to reducing their greenhouse gases 20 percent by the year 2005. The Government of Canada
has created an Office of Energy Efficiency to provide them and all Canadians with the
concrete information they need to take direct action at home, at work, and on the road.
We want to ensure that the world becomes a smart and efficient user of energy and a
steward of the environment for future generations. My children and grandchildren, and yours,
depend upon our effort and commitment. Let us not fail their trust.
Thank you. |
