Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau joined leaders from the world’s major economies at the fourth Leaders-level meeting of the Major Economies Forum (MEF) on Energy and Climate, which aimed to accelerate collective efforts toward keeping the global warming limit of 1.5 degrees Celsius within reach. In his remarks, the Prime Minister showcased Canada’s climate ambition and leadership, emphasizing the country’s significant percentage of emissions reduction since 2019.
As the G7 country leading the way in pollution pricing, Canada is demonstrating a clear path to delivering good jobs and economic growth while fighting the climate crisis. Prime Minister Trudeau invited other countries to join Canada’s efforts and take part in the Global Carbon Pricing Challenge. Canada is also accelerating progress on zero-emission vehicles, growing clean energy resources, ending global deforestation, and reducing non-CO2 greenhouse gas emissions.
During the event, Prime Minister Trudeau announced Canada’s participation in the Methane Finance Sprint to raise funding ahead of COP28 and help developing countries tackle greenhouse gas emissions. He also pledged $3.5 million over three years to assist two Small Island Developing States in the Pacific – Fiji and Samoa – reduce their methane emissions and achieve their Paris Agreement targets.
Additionally, the Prime Minister noted Canada’s support for the launch of the Carbon Management Challenge and a robust replenishment of the Montreal Protocol’s Multilateral Fund to incentivize early action on hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) reductions. He also expressed Canada’s ongoing commitment to improving the capacity of multilateral development banks to address global challenges, including climate change.
Prime Minister Trudeau’s participation in the Major Economies Forum on Energy and Climate sets the tone for an ambitious year for climate action in the lead up to COP28. Canada is committed to continuing to work with major economies to deliver good jobs for citizens, strong economies, and a healthy environment globally.