QUÉBEC CITY, July 15,
2024 /CNW/ - A price on carbon pollution is widely
recognized as the most efficient means to reduce the greenhouse gas
emissions that are contributing to the more intense wildfires,
droughts, and floods caused by climate change.
Canada believes that it
shouldn't be free to pollute. Pollution pricing also becomes most
effective when more countries and nations adopt it—broader coverage
means more opportunities to find and invest in clean solutions.
As co-chair with Panama of the
Carbon Pricing in the Americas initiative, Quebec has built strong partnerships across
the region, promoting collaboration on best practices for carbon
pricing. This effort exemplifies how carbon pricing can effectively
reduce emissions while driving economic growth. In support of this
leadership, the federal government also announced $750,000 for the Carbon Pricing in the Americas
initiative. This funding will support enhancing technical capacity
in expertise with partners that are members of the Carbon Pricing
in the Americas initiative.
Canada remains a leader in
promoting the implementation of carbon pricing at home and abroad.
The Carbon Pricing in the Americas initiative was launched by
Canada and Mexico in 2018 and has promoted the adoption
and implementation of carbon pricing throughout the Americas.
Canada also launched the Global
Carbon Pricing Challenge to expand the use of carbon pricing
globally. The Global Carbon Pricing Challenge is complementary to
the Carbon Pricing in the Americas initiative in that it also aims
to highlight experiences with carbon pricing and rallies global
leaders to promote the value of carbon pricing. This challenge, as
set by Prime Minister Justin
Trudeau, is to achieve the objective of 60 percent of global
emissions covered by carbon pricing by 2030 and a commitment to
support developing countries.
Canada and Quebec are not alone in putting a price on
carbon pollution—according to the World Bank, there are currently
75 carbon pricing instruments in operation worldwide. Canada's actions are aligned with some of the
world's largest economies, which have also adopted carbon pricing
as an effective, low-cost tool to lower emissions while driving
economic growth.
Canada is glad to be working
with Quebec in accelerating action
on carbon pricing and encourages more jurisdictions to step up and
join both Carbon Pricing in the Americas and the Global Carbon
Pricing Challenge to promote carbon pricing as a low-cost,
effective way of reducing emissions and driving innovation.
Quotes
"We know that some of the biggest opportunities of this century
will be in clean energy and low-carbon technologies. Quebec is showing the world that putting a
price on carbon pollution is the simplest, most cost-effective way
to fight climate change and create good jobs for Canadians in the
low-carbon economy."
The Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and
Climate Change
"Quebec's pioneering efforts in
carbon pricing have set a powerful example for the rest of
Canada and the world. Their
commitment to innovative climate solutions demonstrates that
economic growth and environmental responsibility can go hand in
hand."
The Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Public Services
and Procurement
"Making polluters pay for their pollution is common sense.
Pleased to see the federal and provincial governments step up as
leaders on the world stage to support other jurisdictions lower
their emissions and grow sustainable economies."
Joël Lightbound, Member of Parliament for Louis-Hébert,
Quebec
"Québec has acquired expertise in carbon pricing through our
linked market with California. We
welcome the announcement of $750,000
CAD in funding over three years to support the Carbon Pricing in
the Americas initiative and continue the work to strengthen and
develop carbon pricing mechanisms throughout the Americas. This
advancement is essential for our collective efforts in fighting
climate change, and we are eager to see the tangible benefits."
Benoit Charette, Minister of
the Environment, the Fight Against Climate Change, Wildlife and
Parks, and Co-Chair of the Carbon Pricing in the Americas
"We are pleased to hear about Canada's federal government's commitment of
$750,000 toward the Carbon Pricing in
the Americas initiative over the next three years. This vital
funding will enhance efforts to expand carbon pricing mechanisms
across the Americas and facilitate collaboration among
participating countries, ensuring more effective implementation of
carbon pricing policies and contribute to building capacity in
nations that are newer to carbon pricing. By strengthening the
resources dedicated to this initiative, we will accelerate our
progress toward reducing greenhouse gas emissions, promote
sustainable economic growth, and achieve our international climate
commitments. We are enthusiastic to witness the long-term
environmental and economic benefits that will arise from this
investment."
Javier Martínez, Head of Mitigation of the Climate Change
Directorate of the Ministry of Environment of Panama and Co-Chair of the Carbon Pricing in
the Americas
Quick facts
- The Carbon Pricing in the Americas initiative is an established
regional network of national and subnational governments
working together to share experiences and best practices in the
Americas on carbon pricing. Co-chaired by Quebec and Panama, the Carbon Pricing in the Americas
meets regularly through technical dialogues and workshops. These
initiatives emphasize supporting developing countries, recognizing
their unique challenges in addressing climate change and ensuring
that the benefits of global collaboration extend across diverse
economies.
- The current national members of the Carbon Pricing in the
Americas initiative include Canada, Panama, Paraguay, Chile, Mexico, and the Dominican Republic. The subnational
members include Pernambuco, Rio de Janeiro
State, and the Federal District of Brazil (Brazil); Querétaro, Sonora, and Yucatán (Mexico); California (United
States); and Quebec,
British Columbia, and Nova Scotia. Colombia is an observer.
- Since 2017, momentum for carbon pricing in the Americas has
grown significantly, with countries such as Canada, Mexico, Colombia, and Chile implementing or expanding carbon prices
and cap-and-trade systems.
- Launched by Canada at the
United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26), the Global Carbon Pricing Challenge
provides an opportunity for jurisdictions to build on their strong
foundations of carbon pricing leadership with like-minded partners.
With equity and fairness front and centre, the Challenge creates a
forum for dialogue and coordination to better understand policy
design choices and to support other countries in adopting carbon
pricing.
- Canada is recognized
internationally as a climate leader, in large part due to robust
domestic carbon pollution pricing. Canada's approach gives provinces and
territories the flexibility to implement their own carbon pricing
systems that best meet their needs, while aligning with minimum
national standards.
Associated links
- The Global Carbon Pricing Challenge
- Carbon Pricing in the Americas
- How pollution pricing reduces emissions
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SOURCE Public Services and Procurement Canada