New York Climate Week: Minister Heurtel reiterates the importance of carbon markets for sparking innovation and boosting green growth

NEW YORK, Sept. 22, 2016 /CNW Telbec/ - The Québec-California-Ontario carbon market gained attention yesterday at New York Climate Week, which runs until September 25. The Minister of Sustainable Development, the Environment and the Fight against Climate Change, David Heurtel, was invited to speak about Québec's experience with carbon pricing during a high-level panel organized by the Carbon Pricing Leadership Coalition (CPLC). He explained how revenue from Québec's carbon market is used to meet Québec's environmental and economic objectives. The Minister also had an opportunity to engage in discussions with his Ontario counterpart, Glen Murray, Minister of the Environment and Climate Change, and the Honourable Catherine McKenna, Minister of Environment and Climate Change of Canada, centering on strategies to adopt for fighting climate change.

"In Québec, we decided to channel all of the revenue from the carbon market into the Green Fund so that it can be reinvested in actions that will reduce our greenhouse gas emissions and improve our ability to adapt to the impacts of climate change. That decision has paid off: Not only are we achieving our climate objectives, we are also accelerating our transition to an innovative, low-carbon economy," noted Minister Heurtel.

As a result of the Green Fund, over 3.3 billion dollars will be invested in Québec by 2020 to implement the 2013-2020 Climate Change Action Plan (2013-2020 CCAP). Since the transportation sector is responsible for 43% of Québec's GHG emissions, two thirds of those investments will go to supporting projects in that sector. The 2013-2020 CCAP focuses in particular on support for collective and alternative transportation, efficiency and technological innovation in all modes of transportation and gives ever-increasing importance to energies that emit fewer GHGs.

Transportation electrification is also a priority for the Québec government. It is a promising future-oriented economic niche that stimulates job creation and economic competitiveness while at the same time fostering a reduction in GHG emissions. "The Québec transportation electrification sector currently comprises 30 companies and accounts for 3,000 jobs – concrete evidence that clean technologies enhance Québec's economy and serve as a lever for its recovery," said the Minister.

Climate Week's initiator, the Climate Group, capitalized on the presence of several representatives in New York from the States and Regions Alliance to hold its annual meeting focusing on energy efficiency collaboration. As Co-Chair, Minister Heurtel opened the meeting by underscoring the Alliance's crucial role in ensuring mobilization and collaboration among the federated states and regions that are involved and proactive in the fight against climate change. He urged its members to continue their efforts in that direction.

"In Paris, the role played by local and regional governments was clearly recognized. That explicit recognition of the role of federated states gives substance to Québec's sustained commitment on the international scene and reflects the new era of collaboration in the global fight against climate change that has been emerging over the past several years. It is through joint initiatives and by sharing our experiences that we will be able to accelerate the transition to a green and flourishing economy. Our strength lies in the ties we create with our partners for the benefit of future generations," concluded Minister Heurtel.

SOURCE: Emilie Simard Press Officer Office of the Minister of Sustainable Development, the Environment and the Fight against Climate Change Tel.: [phone]

INFORMATION: Media Relations Ministère du Développement durable, de l'Environnement et de la Lutte contre les changements climatiques Tel.: [phone]

SOURCE Cabinet du ministre du Développement durable, de l'Environnement et de la Lutte contre les changements climatiques

SOURCE: Emilie Simard, Press Officer, Office of the Minister of Sustainable Development, the Environment and the Fight against Climate Change, Tel.: [phone] ; INFORMATION: Media Relations, Ministère du Développement durable, de l'Environnement et de la Lutte contre les changements climatiques, Tel.: [phone]