Press Release

Quebec, December 13, 2009 – Quebec Premier Jean Charest, and Minister of Sustainable Development, Environment and Parks Line Beauchamp have arrived in Denmark where the 15^th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change will be held. Before the international community, they plan to demonstrate Quebec’s leadership in the fight against climate change and to stress the importance of establishing stringent targets in the area of greenhouse gas reduction.

“Quebec is among the world’s most avant-garde federated states and regions with respect to fighting climate change, and is undoubtedly the leader in North America. With a greenhouse gas emission reduction target of 20% below the 1990 level by 2020, currently the most ambitious target on the North American continent, Quebec is very clearly indicating to the international community its intention to be a key player in efforts to fight climate change in the post-Kyoto period,” stated Premier Charest.

“Quebec has adopted ambitious policies and objectives regarding the fight against climate change, and I believe it can be a source of inspiration for many other states and countries. I am going to Copenhagen with the mandate of presenting the various policies and initiatives that are underway in Quebec,” said Minister Beauchamp.

During his stay, Premier Charest will join the Premier of South Australia in co-chairing the Third Leaders Summit, in which Minister Beauchamp will participate. This Summit, organized by the Climate Group, will bring together the leaders of 50 federated states with the goal of taking stock of the various efforts undertaken since 2005 in the fight against climate change.

The Quebec delegation will also participate in the Concertation ministérielle organized by the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie. In addition, the Premier and the Minister of Sustainable Development, Environment and Parks will speak at various events organized by the Climate Registry, the Climate Group, the Institut de l'Énergie et de l'Environnement de la Francophonie and the International Institute for Sustainable Development.

- 30 - 

SOURCES :