DURBAN, South Africa--
December 5, 2011 -- Today, Environment Minister
Peter Kent announced that the Government
of Canada is contributing $1.2 billion to
support international efforts to help developing
countries reduce greenhouse gas emissions
and adapt to the impacts of a changing climate.
"Canada came to
Durban to make a real contribution toward
a global solution to this global issue;
this signals that," said Minister Kent.
"We are hoping for an agreement that
covers all emitters and providing supports
for developing countries that can most use
the help."
"Canada wants to
see real reductions in emissions and real
results."
Canada supports the
2009 Copenhagen Accord, which is a significant
breakthrough in the global effort to address
climate change. Our contribution of $1.2
billion in fast-start financing is an important
way in which Canada is meeting its commitments.
Between 2010 and 2012,
developed countries committed to provide
up to US$30 billion in fast-start financing
to countries that are the most vulnerable
to climate change.
"I'm pleased that
Canada is following through on their commitment
to fast-start financing," said Christiana
Figueres, Executive Secretary of the United
Nations Framework Convention on Climate
Change (UNFCCC). "This financing is
a key to moving forward with global action
on climate change, and Canada's contribution
will go a long way in helping developing
countries with their mitigation and adaptation
efforts."
Our fast-start financing
focuses on three areas:
•Adaptation by the poorest and most vulnerable
countries
•Clean energy
•Forests and agriculture.
Canada's contribution
is for three years. An initial contribution
of $400 million is already starting to produce
results and today, the Government is announcing
further investments of almost $600 million
for 2011-2012 and 2012-2013.
+ More
Canada Helps Deliver
Global Climate Change Solutions
DURBAN, South Africa
-- December 6, 2011 -- Canada's Environment
Minister, the Honourable Peter Kent, today
announced new supports so developing countries
can be part of the next phase of global
solutions to counter climate change.
"Our Government
has consistently said global issues like
climate change require global solutions,"
said Minister Kent. "Canada is committed
to doing its part at home and abroad as
we work toward an international agreement
in which all countries play a part."
In Durban, Minister
Kent pointed to the early successes of a
new Canadian climate change fund. This $291.5
million contribution through the World Bank
to the International Finance Corporation
(IFC) is encouraging private investment
and innovation to reduce greenhouse gas
emissions in developing countries, while
also delivering accountability for Canadian
taxpayers.
Canada believes it is
important for countries to take action that
most appropriately reflects their national
circumstances. Investments like this are
part of a balanced approach to deliver real
results.
Since June 2011, Canada
has invested $33 million in five projects
in Africa and Latin America, including initiatives
to support wind power in Lesotho and greener
power and water services to Guinea-Bissau.
These projects will help eliminatemore than
700,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions
every year.
"The investments
are a major step by Canada to lever private-sector
led greenhouse gas reductions in developing
countries. The private sector will play
a strong role in providing the capital and
innovation needed for low emissions growth,
and this complements public sector interventions",
said Rashad Kaldany, Vice President, Global
Industries, IFC.
Minister Kent is leading
the Canadian delegation to COP17 in Durban
where we are supporting the establishment
of a new international climate change agreement
that includes commitments by all major emitters.
