POZNAN - December 11, 2008 - The Honourable Jim Prentice, Minister of the Environment, today delivered Canada's national statement to delegates at the United Nations Climate Change Conference. The 14th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP14) marks the one-year countdown to an agreed deadline for international consensus on a new global climate change agreement.

"Canada believes that a shared vision for long term cooperation that places us on the path to a low carbon future is required. That shared vision must ensure continued economic growth and sustainable development while reducing global greenhouse gas emissions by at least 50% by 2050," said Minister Prentice. "Achieving that balance will require cooperative action in many areas over the long-term, including strengthening adaptation, and increasing global supplies of secure, affordable and clean energy."

Minister Prentice stressed that urgent global action on climate change and the economy is required by all major emitters to achieve dramatic increases in energy efficiency, to significantly expand the use of low-carbon and renewable fuels, and to encourage the rapid development and deployment of clean energy technologies. Minister Prentice also highlighted Canada's $100 million commitment to help developing countries address the challenges caused by climate change.

Working with our provincial and territorial governments, Canada is committed to developing and implementing a North America-wide cap-and-trade system for greenhouse gases.

"Canada is committed to reducing its total greenhouse gas emissions by 20% by 2020, while ensuring that our actions, going forward, are comparable with those of other developed countries," said Minister Prentice. "We will achieve this goal by implementing ambitious domestic action."

At home, Canada has set a goal of meeting 90% of our electricity needs from non-emitting sources such as hydro, nuclear, clean coal or wind power by 2020. We are also working closely with provincial governments by investing heavily in clean technologies, including next generation biofuels and the large-scale commercial demonstration of carbon capture and storage. "The responsibility to protect our climate is ours alone," said Minister Prentice. "Guided by our shared vision of a low carbon future, and by working together, I am confident that we can place our planet on a new path of sustainability and economic progress."

Environment Canada

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