16/03/2005 - The Honourable
Stéphane Dion, Canada’s Environment
Minister, and the Honourable R. John Efford,
Minister of Natural Resources Canada, announced
today that Canada has joined both the Renewable
Energy and Energy Efficiency Partnership (REEEP)
and the Methane to Markets Partnership at
the G8 Energy and Environment Ministerial
Roundtable.
The goal of REEEP is to accelerate and expand
the global market for renewable-energy and
energy-efficient technologies.
It assists the governments of developing countries
in creating regulatory policy frameworks which
integrate renewables into the energy mix and
help establish investment climates to encourage
the development and use of renewable energy.
The partnership also assists with creating
sustainable energy funds and financing models.
“Joining these partnerships will strengthen
Canada’s ties to governments of industrialized,
emerging and developing countries. They will
increase opportunities for our businesses
and researchers involved in creating and commercializing
clean energy technologies and practices in
pursuit of a healthier global environment
for Canada and the world,” said Minister Dion.
“We shall put these innovations into action
to cut emissions of greenhouse gases like
CO2 and methane along with smog-causing pollutants
and airborne toxics like mercury.”
The Methane to Markets partnership, for its
part, aims to enhance international cooperation
to advance the recovery and use of methane
to improve energy security, economic growth,
air quality and industrial safety; and reduce
greenhouse gas emissions throughout the world.
It focuses on developing strategies and markets,
implementing frameworks for action and removing
barriers to the design of collaborative projects
between countries.
“Our membership in both REEEP and Methane
to Markets enhances Canada’s commitment to
energy innovation in the fight against climate
change. Budget 2005 showed our commitment
to tackle climate change with more than $2
billion over 15 years in tax and production
incentives for renewable energy including
wind, solar and land-fill gases,” said Minister
Efford. “Canada is becoming a renewable energy
leader and joining these partnerships will
further speed our global emergence.”
