Canada, U.S., Mexico to Establish Climate Change Working Group

North American Clean Energy Working Group unites Canada, the U.S., and Mexico to advance low-carbon grids, renewables, efficiency, carbon capture, and climate resilience while addressing oil and gas emissions and energy security.

Canada, the United States and Mexico have established a ministerial-level working group on climate change and energy issues.

Greg Rickford, Canada’s minister of natural resources, reached the deal — along with U.S. Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz and Pedro Joaquin-Coldwell, Mexico’s energy secretary — during a meeting of North American energy ministers. The working group will focus on a number of issues, including reliable and low-carbon electricity grids, deployment of clean energy technologies including renewables, and energy efficiency for equipment, appliances, industries and buildings.

They will also look at carbon-capture, use and storage, climate change adaptation and resilience emissions from the oil and gas sector.

The Harper government has come under criticism for stalling on emission rules for the oil and gas industry.

The latest ministerial agreement follows a December announcement of three-way co-operation on a number of other energy issues, including responsible development of unconventional oil and gas deposits.

“By co-operating with our NAFTA partners across North America, we are enhancing energy security and the environment while strengthening jobs and the economy,” Rickford said in a statement.

Formation of the working group follows the announcement last week of new Canadian emissions targets.

Environment Minister Leona Aglukkaq said that Canada planned to reduce its greenhouse gas missions by 30 per cent below 2005 levels by 2030 — a greenhouse-gas target she called fair, ambitious and in line with other major industrialized countries.

In the House of Commons on Monday, New Democrat Megan Leslie dismissed Aglukkaq’s target.

“It doesn’t deliver Canada’s fair share of emissions reductions,” Leslie said.

Aglukkaq replied by saying Canada would take “a responsible and balanced, sector-by-sector approach to reducing emissions, but protect the economy and Canadian jobs.”

Related News

• Electricity Forum News

• Climate Change News