Nusa Dua, Bali, Indonesia
(December 10, 2007) -- Canada's Environment
Minister, John Baird, announced today that
Canada will be making a major contribution
to the Global Environment Facility's Special
Climate Change Fund. With this new $7.5 million
contribution, Canada's total contribution
to the Special Climate Change Fund is $13.5
million. This makes Canada the second largest
donor to the Fund which helps developing countries
reduce their greenhouse gas emissions.
"This major contribution to the Special
Climate Change Fund shows that Canada is making
a difference in the global effort to fight
climate change which is one of the greatest
challenges facing the world community,"
said Minister Baird. "With this new $7.5
million contribution, Canadais now the second
largest contributor to the Special Climate
Change Fund. This is yet another example of
Canada showing real leadership on the world's
stage."
While many countries will be affected by
climate change, some of the poorest countries
will be hardest hit by its impacts and have
the least ability to cope due to their already
marginalized economies. Canada will continue
to help developing countries to both battle
climate change, and adapt to its effects.
Our efforts are critical to alleviating poverty
and achieving sustainable, long term development
results.
The Special Climate Change Fund will help
developing countries:
identify, analyze and implement adaptive
measures in critical sectors such as water
resource and land management, agriculture
and health;
plan, prepare for and manage climate change
related disaster response and prevention;
monitor diseases and vectors affected by climate
change; and
avoid or minimize emissions of greenhouse
gases through access to technology.
An independent financial organization that
provides grants to developing countries for
projects that benefit the global environment,
the Global Environment Facility is a long-standing
partner of the Government of Canada.
"On behalf of the Global Environment
Facility I am pleased to accept Canada's significant
contribution. This will help the most vulnerable
countries adapt to climate change," said
Monique Barbut, Chief Executive Officer and
Chairperson, of the Global Environment Facility.
"Through support from countries like
Canada, we are able to fund projects that
will help with the technology transfer that
is critical for them to succeed in reducing
greenhouse gas emissions."
Canada, through the Canadian International
Development Agency, is already contributing
$158 million over four years (2006-2010) to
the Global Environment Facility. About 35
percent of this supports global climate change
efforts.
Minister Baird made this announcement while
in Indonesia to attend the United Nations
Climate Change Convention.
Eric Richer
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of the Environment
+ More
Canada Leading by Example
Baird Announces New Funding for Adaptation
on Climate Change
NUSA DUA, BALI, INDONESIA, December 10, 2007
-- Canada's Environment Minister, John Baird,
took action today at the United Nations Climate
Change Conference in Indonesia. Canada will
invest $85.9 million over four years to help
Canadians respond to climate change. Minister
Baird was joined at the announcement by Mary
Simon, President of Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami
(ITK) and one of Canada's Eminent Advisors
to the Minister.
"Canada is leading by example and stepping
up its fight against climate change by taking
concrete steps to help Canadians adapt to
our changing climate," said Minister
Baird. "With our Turning the Corner Action
Plan to Reduce Greenhouse Gases and Air Pollution,
Canada started taking real action on climate
change. However, the science is clear. Even
the most ambitious efforts on fighting climate
change cannot prevent the warming that is
expected to continue in the short term. That's
why we're providing support to address this
challenge head on."
Canada will spend:
$15 million for research to improve climate
change scenarios;
$14 million for a program to assist Northerners
in assessing key vulnerabilities and opportunities
for adaptation;
$7 million for climate change and health adaptation
in northern / Inuit communities;
$14.9 million to develop a pilot climate and
infectious disease alert and response system
to protect the health of Canadians from the
impacts associated with a changing climate;
and
$35 million for risk management tools for
adaptation and to support the development
and implementation of regional programs.
"Canadians want action now on climate
change -- and that's exactly what we're doing,"
said the Honourable Gary Lunn, Minister of
Natural Resources. "My department is
using its recognized expertise in adaptation
and resource management to create tools and
methodologies that will help address the impacts
of climate change."
"No region may be more affected by climate
change than Canada's Arctic, however, effective
solutions must involve all regions of the
country", said the Honourable Chuck Strahl,
Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development
and Federal Interlocutor on Métis and
Non-Status Indians. "Tremendous opportunities
await those who design and implement effective
ways to combat climate change. Canada, rich
in innovative talent and scientific and engineering
expertise, is well placed to develop these
solutions."
"Our Government is keenly aware of the
important link between health and the environment,
and as Health Minister I see today's funding
announcements as very positive news for Canadians
concerned about the health effects of the
air they breathe and the water they drink,"said
Minister of Health Tony Clement. "Additionally,
the new infectious disease alert and response
system will enable us to monitor and act quickly
particularly in vulnerable areas such as Canada's
north."
Related Document:
Canada's Government Taking Action on Adaptation
and Climate Change Issues [Backgrounder, 2007-12-10]
Eric Richer
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of the Environment
