WASHINGTON, D.C. – April
10, 2013 – Today, the Honourable Peter Kent,
Canada’s Environment Minister, announced
an additional $10 million contribution to
the Climate and Clean Air Coalition to Reduce
Short-Lived Climate Pollutants (CCAC), and
a $2.5 million contribution to the Climate
Technology Centre and Network (CTCN). The
announcement was made prior to the Major
Economies Forum on Energy and Climate where
representatives of 17 major economies meet
in Washington, D.C., this week.
“As an Arctic nation,
Canada understands first-hand the importance
of addressing short-lived climate pollutants,”
said Minister Kent. “Canada is proud to
be a leading supporter of the CCAC and this
significant contribution will support the
implementation of projects in developing
countries, as well as help signal a new
phase of scaled up action and growth in
the Coalition’s membership, funding activities
and results.”
Today’s contribution
of $10 million is in addition to Canada’s
previous contribution of $3 million to the
CCAC’s Trust Fund and $7 million for projects
that support the mitigation of short-lived
climate pollutants in developing countries.
These investments are
part of Canada’s Fast-Start Financing commitment
under the Copenhagen Accord to provide $1.2
billion in new and additional financing
to support climate change action in developing
countries.
The CCAC was launched
in February 2012 by six founding countries,
including Canada, and the United Nations
Environment Programme (UNEP). The CCAC has
since grown to 56 members and is already
acting on several fronts including supporting
the development of national action plans
and sector-based initiatives in such areas
as reducing SLCPs from municipal solid waste,
heavy duty vehicles and engines, oil and
natural gas production, and brick production.
The CTCN was established
through the United Nations Framework Convention
on Climate Change. This initiative responds
directly to the expressed need of developing
countries for more rapid deployment of the
best available technologies to help them
confront the climate challenge—both to reduce
emissions and to build resilience to climate
impacts. The CTCN will provide tailored
advice and assistance to developing countries
on climate change adaptation and mitigation
technologies. Through collaboration with
the private sector and other institutions,
the CTCN will also encourage the development
and transfer of existing and emerging environmentally
sound technologies.
+ More
The Government of Canada
Invests in Community Action to Preserve
Biodiversity in St-Simon-les-Mines
SAINT-SIMON-LES-MINES,
Que. – April 30, 2013 – The Honourable Maxime
Bernier, Minister of State (Small Business
and Tourism) and Member of Parliament for
Beauce, on behalf of Canada’s Environment
Minister, the Honourable Peter Kent, today
announced $26,610 in funding from the Habitat
Stewardship Program (HSP) for Species at
Risk for a project in the region of Beauce,
Quebec.
The project, entitled
“Protection and restoration of lands that
are home to threatened species in a wetland
area of Cumberland,” carried out by the
Association pour la protection des milieux
humides de la Cumberland, has helped acquire
3,000 square metres of land to conserve
an area that is home to the Common Nighthawk,
a threatened bird species listed under the
Species at Risk Act.
“Our Government is proudly
supporting the preservation of our environmental
diversity in the province of Quebec,” said
Minister Bernier. “Species at risk in Saint-Simon-les-Mines,
here in the region of Beauce, will be better
protected with this investment, which will
further maintain the natural beauty of our
region.”
“This project is yet
another example of how our government is
committed to protecting Canada’s rich biodiversity
for future generations,” said Minister Kent.
“The Government of Canada is proud to support
the environmental efforts of local communities
through the HSP for Species at Risk.”
“It is with enthusiasm
that the Association pour la protection
des milieux humides de la Cumberland receives
the support of Environment Canada to acquire
a private property and create awareness
signs as part of the HSP for Species at
Risk. This support will help consolidate
the Cumberland nature reserve and allow
us to provide greater protection to numerous
species of special concern or threatened
species in this area of ecological interest,”
stated the organization’s President, Jean
Poulin.
The goal of the HSP
for Species at Risk is to contribute to
the recovery and protection of species listed
as endangered, threatened or of special
concern under the Species at Risk Act.
The HSP for Species
at Risk is administered by Environment Canada
and managed cooperatively with Fisheries
and Oceans Canada and the Parks Canada Agency.
