Minister McKenna talks short-lived climate pollutants at COP22

MARRAKECH, MOROCCO, Nov. 14, 2016 /CNW/ - Canada is moving to take serious action on climate change, and Canadians will benefit from new opportunities in the emerging clean-growth economy.

The Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Catherine McKenna, co-chaired the Climate and Clean Air Coalition's (CCAC's) High-Level Assembly and issued the following quotes and photo at the event:

Quotes

"We have seen great things happen this year in the effort to reduce short-lived climate pollutants. Canada and its North American partners agreed to drive down black carbon—or soot—emissions that come from burning fossil fuels and to reduce potent methane emissions from the oil and gas sector, by up to 45 percent by 2025—a reduction equivalent to 3.8- to 4.2-million passenger vehicles not being driven in a given year. More recently, we joined the world in agreeing to phase down climate-warming hydrofluorocarbons, such as those used as refrigerants. Today, we took another important step in reducing methane emissions from oil and gas operations and promoting cleaner fuels and vehicles internationally.

"Taking action on these harmful pollutants will benefit Canadians and communities. Finding solutions to reduce short-lived climate pollutants will also foster innovation and create good jobs in a modern, clean, global economy."
– Catherine McKenna, Minister of Environment and Climate Change

"I am proud to announce investments with Chile and Mexico to help reduce short-lived climate pollutants. In Canada and around the world, we are adding up wins for the climate and cleaner air."
– Catherine McKenna, Minister of Environment and Climate Change

Quick facts

• Scientists agree that short-lived climate pollutants (SLCPs) such as black carbon, methane, ozone, and some hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) are responsible for an important portion of the current rate of global warming.
• Sustained reductions of SLCPs are critical to meeting the Paris Agreement goal of holding global temperature increase to well below 2 °C and of pursuing efforts towards 1.5 °C.
• Canada, Bangladesh, Mexico, Ghana, the United States, Sweden, and the United Nations Environment Programme established the Climate and Clean Air Coalition, in February 2012. Canada is currently serving as the Coalition co-chair with Chile, and it is the largest contributor to the Coalition's Trust Fund, with a contribution of Can$23 million to date.

Associated links

October 15, 2016 – Canada and the World agree to phase down HFCs

Canada's participation at COP22

Environment and Climate Change Canada's Twitter page

Environment and Natural Resources in Canada's Facebook page

SOURCE Environment and Climate Change Canada

Image with caption: "From left to right: Helena Molin Valdés (Head, CCAC Secretariat), Dr. Jonathan Pershing (U.S. Special Envoy for Climate Change), Rita Cerutti (Canadian Co-chair of the Climate and Clean Air Coalition), the Honourable Catherine McKenna (Canada’s Minister of Environment and Climate Change), and Mr. Pablo Badenier (Minister of Environment from Chile). (CNW Group/Environment and Climate Change Canada)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20161114_C1686_PHOTO_EN_818064.jpg

Caitlin Workman, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Environment and Climate Change, 819-938-9436; Media Relations, Environment and Climate Change Canada, 819-938-3338 or 1-844-836-7799 (toll free)