Press Release

Copenhagen, December 18, 2009 – Québec Premier Jean Charest and Minister of Sustainable Development, Environment and Parks Line Beauchamp summarized the work accomplished by Québec at the 15^th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.

Québec co-chaired the December 15, 3rd Climate Leaders Summit attended by representatives of more than 60 Federated States. This meeting, organized in collaboration with The Climate Group, brought together active decision-makers in the field of greenhouse gas reduction in order to share best experiences and practices and accentuate pressure on the international community aimed at passing a multilateral agreement on climate change.

Led by Québec, Federated States have demonstrated that they are avant-garde GHG reduction agents of change. Moreover, the Copenhagen meeting provided an opportunity to launch the EV20 initiative that will see vehicle manufacturers, fleet owners and financial institutions involved in the electric vehicle sector join together to accelerate product development.

Québec’s presence in events surrounding the 15^th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change was also key to achieving recognition of the government’s engagement on environmental issues. ”Québec’s leadership was acknowledged by one of the iconic figures in the fight against climate change. Maldives Islands President Mohamed Nasheed, who represents one of the countries most threatened by global warming due to the rise in sea levels, praised the steps taken by Québec and California in the fight against climate change. He lauded our leadership at the Plenary Session of 194 member countries, which was attended by thousands of media representatives that covered the Conference,” noted Premier Charest.

Québec’s action in this field was also acknowledged by an award given to the Government of Québec by environmental groups, for the consistency of its commitment to the fight against climate change. The prize was received from Équiterre co-founder and Deputy Director Sydney Ribaud.

The Premier also took part in numerous events and met many personalities among whom were, notably, South Australia Premier Mike Rann, President José Montilla of Catalonia, Climate  Group President and CEO Steve Howard, Prince Albert II of Monaco, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova, IPCC Chairman and TERI Director-General Dr. Rajendra Kumar Pachauri, cinematographer and journalist Yann-Arthus Bertrand and reporter/writer Nicolas Hulot.

Premier Charest also addressed two panel discussions on Federated State leadership and renewable energy.

In addition to supporting the premier, Minister of Sustainable Development, Environment and Parks Line Beauchamp participated in a variety of activities organized by the Institut de l’Énergie et de l’Environnement de la Francophonie (IEPF), at which she presented the diverse actions taken by Québec.

The Minister also participated in the Dialogue of ministers and heads of Francophone delegations, where she had an opportunity to highlight the role of Federated States in the fight against climate change. At the conclusion of this meeting, she signed a financing agreement with the IIDD - Institut international du développement durable - that will assure continued French language publication of the Earth Negotiations Bulletin.

Minister Beauchamp was also invited to two events concerning North-South partnerships in the fight against climate change. The first event took place within the framework of the Climate Leaders Summit, while the second, was organized by The Climate Registry, which is a North American organization of some forty U.S. and Mexican states and Canadian provinces. These meetings provided a platform for presenting Québec’s new initiatives, notably its partnership with the UNDP and Algeria.

In the area of Québec’s bilateral relations, Ms. Beauchamp met with her peers from Scotland, Flanders, Wales and Wallonie. Discussions centred on each party’s respective initiatives as well as on the question of recognizing Federated States in United Nations documents.

“If we are to slow global warming, we need to multiply our alliances and rally a maximum number of governments and decision-makers to engage on questions of climate change. The Government of Québec will continue its action by fully participating in The Western Climate Initiative to pursue the development of a carbon market, remaining involved in the Climate Leaders Summit to mobilize Federated States, and sharing its expertise within EV-20 for the development of electric vehicles,” the Premier stated.

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