Statement on the outcome of the Buenos Aires Climate Change negotiations by Federal Environment Minister Christine Stewart

Canada is very pleased with the Buenos Aires Plan of Action on climate change concluded by 180 countries at the fourth Conference of the Parties (COP) in the Argentine capital Saturday, November 14. It is an important step forward in global efforts to address climate change. I was personally engaged in the negotiations until their conclusion early Saturday morning.

Last year, the Kyoto Protocol gave developed countries a roadmap, with specific targets, to help us achieve significant long-term reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. The negotiations this year were difficult but the agreement we reached represents real progress along the path to how we achieve those reductions. I want to express my personal thanks to the strong and clear leadership of the President of the Conference whose work helped countries sign on to the Buenos Aires Plan of Action. As well, Canada notes the significant step the United States undertook by signing the Kyoto Protocol and the positive message that action sent to developing countries.

The Buenos Aires Plan of Action contains key provisions of particular interest to Canada.

First, it gives Ministers a mandate to increase the momentum on defining the rules and modalities of the three Kyoto Protocol mechanisms - international emissions trading, joint implementation and the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM). Parallel progress on all three is important and Canada pushed hard for a realistic approach and clear timelines. I am pleased that the Conference achieved this core objective and that a process is in place to seek final decisions on all mechanisms by the sixth Conference of the Parties in the year 2000.

Many countries, both developed and developing expressed strong interest in the Clean Development Mechanism. While in Buenos Aires, I co-hosted a meeting with Ministers from about 25 countries as a follow up to a Ministerial Forum on the CDM which was held at the end of September in Ottawa. Ministers clearly regard this mechanism as a high priority. They agreed to focus on clarifying outstanding issues such as promoting CDM benefits for all parties and how to build capacity in developing countries so that the mechanism can be in place by the year 2000.

Second, the Buenos Aires Plan of Action contains provisions that demonstrate our willingness to work together constructively with developed and developing countries to combat the real threat of global climate change. Canada applauds the leadership shown by Argentina and Kazakstan as the first non-Annex I countries to voluntarily commit to reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Their leadership has led to heightened interest from other developing countries who are looking to explore ways to take on national commitments. At the Conference, this became known as seeking a "third way" and Canada will actively engage Ministers in ongoing dialogue on this concept. It is crucial that we demonstrate to the global community that mitigation commitments can be made by developing countries without compromising their future growth or prosperity.

Canada made solid progress on the issue of sinks. In particular, we succeeded in gaining the attention of many countries on the legitimacy of including agricultural soils and practices as a sequestration activity. This issue and the important scientific research to more fully understand its role in reducing greenhouse gases will continue to be discussed at intersessional meetings and at future conferences of the Parties.

Canada supported the adoption of plans to examine and foster the development of sustainable clean technologies. It is particularly important that we find ways to effectively engage the private sector in cooperative efforts with developing countries.

Finally, a Canadian priority throughout the negotiations was the elaboration of a workable compliance regime. Compliance and the rules around compliance remain an important issue in the Kyoto Protocol.

In summary, Buenos Aires provides us with significant direction to move forward on the issue of climate change. In the coming months, Canada will continue to actively engage Ministers, both at home and in the international community. We will seek to expand the circle of countries working together on all aspects of the Kyoto Protocol and the Buenos Aires Plan of Action. It is vitally important that we pursue action on climate change together - for the sake of our health and that of our children and grandchildren.

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