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The Role of Sub-national States and Regions in the Fight against Climate Change: Minister David Heurtel Meets with United Nations Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon

Paris, December 4, 2015 – During a private meeting with United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today as part of the Leaders Summit, the Minister of Sustainable Development, Environment and the Fight against Climate Change, David Heurtel, reaffirmed on behalf of the Premier of Québec, Philippe Couillard, that the international community can count on the Government of Québec in the fight against climate change. In addition to Minister Heurtel, some fifteen other representatives of subnational states and regions attended the meeting, including his counterparts from British Columbia (The Honourable Mary Polak) and Ontario (The Honourable Glen H. Murray) and Governor Jerry Brown of California, which is Québec’s partner in the carbon market.

“Subnational governments like Québec play an important role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and adapting to climate change. This is why international recognition of the essential role played by states and regions in fighting climate change and the relevance of market mechanisms is so important. This key meeting with the Secretary-General is an acknowledgement of our essential contribution to current global efforts. Together, we can work to counter climate change and ensure that our children have a good quality of life and a healthy planet. Let’s do it for them,” declared Minister Heurtel.

The Minister had an opportunity to underscore Québec’s ongoing international commitments, the success of its carbon market, which covers nearly 85% of the province’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and its ambitious GHG emission reduction objectives. It is worth recalling that Québec has just adopted a GHG reduction target of 37.5% below 1990 levels by 2030.

Québec is very active internationally in the following capacities, notably by promoting the role played by subnational states and regions in fighting climate change and the importance of carbon pricing:

  • Member of the Climate Group, with the Premier of Québec co-chair of the States & Regions Alliance
  • Co-chair of the International Carbon Action Partnership (ICAP) and technical partner of the World Bank in the Partnership for Market Readiness (PMR)
  • Member of the Executive Committee of NRG4SD, the Network of Regional Governments for Sustainable Development
  • Member of the World Bank’s Carbon Pricing Leadership Coalition and, since yesterday, of the RegionsAdapt initiative for adapting to climate change
  • Supports the World Bank’s Putting a Price on Carbon declaration
  • Cooperates in the International Emissions Trading Association (IETA)

     

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SOURCE :

Marie-Catherine Leduc

Acting Press Officer

Cabinet of the Minister of Sustainable Development, Environment and the Fight against Climate Change

Tel.: 418-521-3911

INFORMATION :

Media Relations

Ministère du Développement durable,

de l’Environnement et de la Lutte contre

les changements climatiques

Tel.: 418-521-3991