MONTREAL, September 22,
2007- Canada's Environment Minister John
Baird, is pleased to announce that countries
attending the Montreal Protocol conference
have reached a major agreement to speed
up the phase-out of chemicals that harm
the ozone layer and cause climate change.
"The Montreal Protocol, already considered
the most successful environmental agreement
to date, will do even more to protect both
the ozone layer as well as the most pressing
issue of our time - climate change,"
Minister Baird said. "Today's announcement
demonstrates the kind of concrete action
citizens around the world are demanding."
At the start of the conference Minister
Baird challenged the international community
to speed up the phase-out of chemicals that
deplete the ozone layer and cause climate
change. Under the agreement, 191 countries
have agreed to aggressively accelerate the
elimination of the last ozone depleting
substances of importance, called hydrochlorofluorocarbons
(HCFCs). This will be accomplished by advancing
the freeze of HCFCs production and consumption
by 3 years in developing countries. That
will be followed by the addition of an ambitious
series of reductions leading to a phase
out 10 years sooner.
Previously, there were no limits imposed
prior to the phase-out in developing countries
which was scheduled for 2040. In addition,
developed countries have agreed to an accelerated
schedule for the phase out of production
and consumption by 2020.
"What's even more remarkable is we
have an agreement on ozone and climate change
that includes China, India and the United
States," said Minister Baird. "This
is encouraging as the world meets next week
to fight climate change at the United Nations
and in Washington."
"Countries have also reaffirmed their
commitment to this significant agreement
to protect human health and the environment
by adopting the Montreal Declaration,"
said Minister Baird. "The agreements
reached in Montreal this week will hopefully
provide an example for upcoming climate
change meetings in New York, in Washington
and in Bali over the coming weeks and months."
"Historic is an often over-used word
but not in the case of this agreement made
in Montreal. Governments had a golden opportunity
to deal with the twin challenges of climate
change and protecting the ozone layer -
and governments took it. The precise and
final savings in terms of greenhouse gas
emissions could amount to several billions
of tonnes illustrating the complementarities
of international environmental agreements,"
said Achim Steiner, Executive Director of
the United Nations Environment Programme.
On Monday, September 24, the Prime Minister
will participate in a high level event on
climate change at the United Nations in
New York. Later in the week, Minister Baird
will lead Canada's delegation at the Major
Economies Initiative in Washington. At both
of these events, Canada will continue its
leadership role in pushing for a global
framework for fighting climate change beyond
2012. For more information, please visit
www.ec.gc.ca
Eric Richer
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of the Environment
