Acts of Climate Leadership in Canada Praised in Copenhagen

Gala event celebrates initiatives by provinces, major municipalities

COPENHAGEN , Dec. 16 /CNW/ - Canada's leading environmental groups are teaming up today to recognize acts of climate leadership by provincial and large municipal governments across Canada . Several premiers, cabinet ministers and mayors received recognition. The jurisdictions are each receiving an award.

"With Christmas coming up, these leaders definitely belong on the 'nice' list for demonstrating that Canadians can innovate with the best in the world. We think their action-oriented approach deserves recognition and celebration," said Dr. Rick Smith , Executive Director of Environmental Defence, and MC for a gala event in Copenhagen tonight called Celebrating Climate Leadership in Canada . "While there is still much more to do, it's important to recognize climate leadership where it exists so we can build on it."

A morning press conference and an evening gala event recognize the following initiatives, and the jurisdictions pioneering them:

    
    Greenest City Action Plan - City of Vancouver
    Reaching Out to Global Energy Cities - City of Calgary
    Early Initiatives to Reduce Carbon Footprint - City of Edmonton
    Tower Renewal and Transit City - City of Toronto
    Climat : Plan de Transport - Ville de Montréal
    Economy Wide Carbon Pricing - Province of British Columbia
    Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Initiatives - Province of Manitoba
    Green Energy Champion - Province of Ontario
    Climat : Engagement Constant - Province du Québec
    Absolute Electricity Emissions Cap - Province of Nova Scotia
    

The participating environmental organizations are: the David Suzuki Foundation, the Ecology Action Centre, Environmental Defence, Équiterre, ForestEthics, the Green Energy Act Alliance, the Pembina Institute, PowerUp Canada , TckTckTck, and WWF-Canada.

For details of each initiative being recognized, and contacts for each recipient, please visit www.environmentaldefence.ca.

The gala event also features award-winning Canadian musician Sarah Harmer .

    
    Details for the morning press conference in Copenhagen: 9am local time at
    Crowne Plaza Copenhagen Towers,Adresse: Room Geneva, Oerestads Boulevard
    114-118
    2300 Copenhaagen S, Metro Station Oerestads

    Details for the evening Gala event: Mogens Dahl Koncertsal, Snorresgarde
    22, Metro Station Islands Brygge
    

For further information: regarding the press conference or gala event, contact Canada: Jennifer Foulds, Environmental Defence, [phone] ext 232, [phone] (cell); Copenhagen: Rick Smith, Environmental Defence, 45-604 29-304