Minister Catherine McKenna Concludes a Successful Visit to London and Dublin Furthering Discussions on Climate Action and Clean Growth

DUBLIN, Oct. 15, 2017 /CNW/ - Canada remains committed to working with international partners to accelerate the transition to a low-carbon economy, which will create good middle class jobs and a sustainable planet for future generations.

Minister Catherine McKenna visited London and Dublin where she met with her counterparts and various global leaders to further discussions on climate action and clean growth. In both cities, leaders identified the role of investors and the financial sector as critical to achieving the Paris Agreement commitments.

During her visit to London, Minister McKenna met with Claire Perry, Minister of State for Climate Change and Industry and together they announced that Canada and the United Kingdom will champion a global alliance on the transition from traditional coal-fired electricity at the 23rd Conference of the Parties (COP23) in Bonn, Germany.

Minister McKenna attended a roundtable event hosted by Mark Carney, the Governor of the Bank of England, with leaders from financial institutions, investment banks, insurance companies and Canadian pension funds. They discussed the investment opportunity, worth trillions of dollars, that climate change presents to investors and the importance for businesses to proactively disclose any risks associated with climate change when seeking investment, which will provide greater certainty in the market.

Minister McKenna also had the opportunity to engage in stimulating discussions with students of the London School of Economics in London, and Trinity College in Dublin about the path forward on climate action and the economic opportunities it can create. She also spoke at the Chatham House Climate Change Conference in London about the need to take urgent action on climate change.

While in London, Minister McKenna also met with UK Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Michael Gove and Minister of State at the Department for International Development and Minister of State for Africa at the Foreign & Commonwealth Office Rory Stewart. While in Dublin, she met with Irish Taoiseach (Prime Minister) Leo Varadkar, Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, Denis Naughten, Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government, Eoghan Murphy and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Simon Coveney.

In Ireland Minister McKenna met with businesses that are active in the clean technology sector there, including a Canadian fund that manages €1 billion in Europe's renewable energy assets. She also spoke to the Ireland Canada Business Association.

Minister McKenna ended her trip with a ‎visit to the Marine Institute in Galway, Ireland where she witnessed first-hand the ground breaking work the institute is doing in areas of marine mapping, blue economy, sustainable fisheries, and climate action. This Institute is actively engaged in the work of the Atlantic Ocean Research Alliance, which in an international partnership between Canada, the European Union and the United States.

Canada understands the environment and the economy go hand in hand and businesses all over the world are seeing opportunities for clean growth and investing in clean innovation. They understand that tackling climate change is the right thing to do and it is good for business.

Quotes

"As Canada takes on a greater global leadership role on climate change, it's vital that we continue building on our international partnerships, so that we can pursue opportunities for cleaner growth, that will create good jobs at home and for our partners."
– Catherine McKenna, Minister of Environment and Climate Change

Quick Facts

• Canada is already home to more than 800 clean technology companies led by Canadian entrepreneurs
• In 2015, more money was invested in renewable power (US$325 billion) than in new power from fossil fuels (US$253 billion).

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Associated Links

• London School of Economics Public Lectures and Events: podcasts and videos  
• Trinity College Facebook Livestream 

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SOURCE Environment and Climate Change Canada