Memorandum of Understanding for Cooperation on Addressing
Climate Change
Between
HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN in Right of Canada as represented
by the Minister of the Environment and the Minister of Natural Resources,
hereinafter called "Canada,"
of the First Part, and
HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN in Right of Newfoundland and Labrador
as represented by the Minister of Environment and Conservation, the Minister
of Natural Resources, and the Minister for Intergovernmental Affairs,
hereinafter called "Newfoundland and Labrador,"
of the Second Part,
hereinafter called "the Parties."
Preamble
Whereas,
The Parties recognize that climate change represents a global environmental
and socio-economic issue of unprecedented scope;
Canada is a party to the 1992 United Nations Framework Convention on
Climate Change and ratified the Kyoto Protocol on December 17, 2002;
The Parties recognize that given the global nature of climate change,
a diversity of policies and measures will have to be implemented by all
orders of government;
On November 21, 2002, Canada announced the Climate Change Plan for Canada;
On June 3, 2003, Newfoundland and Labrador released its Climate Change
Discussion Paper which will form the basis of its action plan on climate
change;
The Parties recognize the need to co-ordinate their respective efforts
in developing and implementing policies and measures designed to address
climate change;
Canada recognizes the efforts of Newfoundland and Labrador to meet its
specific needs and policy objectives in addressing climate change; and
The Parties acknowledge the jurisdictional authorities of each of the
Parties.
Strategic Objectives and General Framework for Cooperation
The Parties agree to:
- pursue cooperation on addressing climate change within the context
of sustainable development;
- identify priority areas of cooperation to build partnerships to achieve
cost-effective emission reductions;
- consider opportunities for an Atlantic Canada regional approach to
addressing climate change;
- ensure consistency among their respective actions and initiatives
to avoid duplication and to maximize synergies;
- coordinate the efforts of all their departments involved in addressing
climate change; and
- pursue cooperation through new initiatives as well as building on
existing initiatives.
To meet the above strategic objectives, the Parties agree to further
coordinate their efforts on policies and measures to:
- reduce or prevent greenhouse gas emissions through measures such
as energy management, conservation, energy efficiency, and alternative
and renewable energy development;
- promote the development, demonstration and deployment of technologies
addressing climate change;
- capitalize on opportunities for cost-effective economic development
and job creation related to climate change;
- capitalize on opportunities to achieve other environmental and health
co-benefits while addressing climate change;
- transfer climate change information, experience and technology;
- enhance carbon sinks, their measurement and monitoring;
- establish effective monitoring, reporting and review mechanisms for
emissions reductions;
- increase public awareness and education to promote actions to reduce
greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to climate change impact; and
- improve knowledge of the impacts of climate change and approaches
to adaptation to climate change.
Priority Areas of Cooperation
The Parties agree to explore cooperation in the following priority areas:
- The role that hydroelectricity projects in Newfoundland and Labrador,
such as the development of the Lower Churchill, would contribute to
achieving national and provincial climate change objectives;
- Increase public awareness and education of climate change and impacts
and adaptation and opportunities for reductions of greenhouse gas emissions;
- Work to help facilitate Newfoundland and Labrador research and development
on climate change impacts, vulnerabilities and adaptation strategies
on priority issues including coastal and marine infrastructure, fisheries,
forestry and aboriginal and northern communities;
- Reduction of greenhouse gas emissions through increasing renewable/alternative
energy development, including wind energy and through energy management
and energy efficiency in government facilities and operations, from
marine and land-based transportation sources, and in municipal planning
and solid waste management; and
- Planning, monitoring and reporting related to these priorities, as
appropriate.
The Parties agree that the annexes may be developed that further outline
the nature and scope of the cooperation in relation to the above-mentioned
priority areas.
The Parties will identify the initiatives to be pursued on a bilateral
basis and others in which it would be preferable to ask other jurisdictions
to participate.
Provision of resources for specific initiatives will be determined on
a case-by-case basis taking into consideration programs and priorities
of the Parties.
Priority areas may be amended over time by mutual agreement of the Parties.
In addition to the above-mentioned priority areas, the Parties agree
that infrastructure investments will play an important role in addressing
climate change, and shall be taken into consideration in the development
of cooperative activities.
Management of Memorandum of Understanding
Program experts from the Parties will explore the above-mentioned priority
areas of cooperation and develop, as required, draft annexes to this Memorandum
of Understanding.
Senior representatives of the Parties will examine the contents of these
draft annexes and will agree on their final form as required.
Representatives of the Parties will meet on a regular basis, at least
once per year, to review progress.
Communication
Parties agree to consider joint communication, where appropriate.
Amendment to Memorandum of Understanding
This Memorandum of Understanding may be amended with the mutual written
consent of both Parties. Any amendment becomes part of this Memorandum
of Understanding.
Language of Memorandum of Understanding
This Memorandum of Understanding is made in the English and French languages,
and each version is equally valid.
Settlement of Disputes
Any disputes regarding the interpretation or implementation of this
Memorandum of Understanding will be resolved only by consultation among
the Parties and will not be referred to a tribunal or other third party
for settlement.
Duration of Memorandum of Understanding
This Memorandum of Understanding will come into effect on April 29,
2005 and remain in force for a period of five years until April 29, 2010.
Prior to termination of this Memorandum of Understanding, a decision will
be made as to whether to renew this Memorandum of Understanding.
Either Party can terminate this Memorandum of Understanding with 90
days' notice. Best efforts to resolve issues are to be made by the Parties
within this 90-day period.
SIGNED at St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador this
29th day of April, 2005.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the duly authorized representatives
of the Parties have signed this Memorandum of Understanding.
FOR CANADA
- Minister of Environment
- Minister of Natural Resources
FOR NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR
- Minister of Environment and Conservation
- Minister of Natural Resources
- Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs
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