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Climate Action
News article3 March 2017Directorate-General for Climate Action

Commissioner Cañete and Minister McKenna reaffirm commitment to address climate change

March 2, 2017 – Ottawa, Canada

EU and Canada flags

March 2, 2017 – Ottawa, Canada

European Commissioner for Climate Action and Energy Miguel Arias Cañete and Environment and Climate Change Minister Catherine McKenna met today in Ottawa, Ontario, and reaffirmed their commitment to address climate change and to accelerate innovation for clean growth.

Commissioner Cañete and Minister McKenna discussed the European Union and Canada’s respective approaches to climate action, including the Clean Energy for All Europeans package and the Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change. They recommitted to hold the Canada-European Union High Level Dialogue on Climate Change and Environment.

They reiterated their commitment to implement the Paris Agreement fully and effectively, to continue to champion ambitious climate action in numerous multilateral fora, and to demonstrate international leadership, including by implementing our domestic responsibilities. They also highlighted the economic opportunity for clean growth resulting from global action on climate change.

Commissioner Cañete and Minister McKenna welcomed the signing of the Strategic Partnership Agreement and the European Parliament’s approval of the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement. They emphasized that the Agreement will create opportunities for clean-technology businesses in Canada and in the European Union to trade, invest, and expand as well as create good jobs on both sides of the Atlantic, positioning both markets to take better advantage of the global opportunity for clean growth.

The Agreement will open up new markets for both Canadian and European Union businesses, will help reduce prices for consumers, and will create opportunities for the Canadian clean-technology sector by eliminating all tarifs on clean-technology products once the Agreement comes into force.

The European Union and Canada look towards continued cooperation on the basis of common values and a shared vision for realizing the benefits of the clean-growth century.

Details

Publication date
3 March 2017
Author
Directorate-General for Climate Action