As world leaders are gathered today at the United Nations Headquarters in New York City for the signing ceremony of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change, let’s remember that Climate Action starts right here at our door steps. Cities, States and Provinces play a key role in developing policies and implementing actions to limit greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions.
In Québec, we take this role very seriously. As Premier Philippe Couillard recently said, two words underpin Québec’s approach to all major public programs: de-carbonization and innovation.
Québec is de-carbonizing:
- because it’s the right thing to do for the environment and for the economy;
- because now more than ever, investment decisions include environmental considerations; and
- because the global energy transition is more than a necessity – it is a reality in which we find ourselves each and every day, especially in the North East.
We also need to innovate:
- to develop our knowledge economy;
- to stay competitive, as a region, on a global stage;
- to continue exporting our know-how and learn from those with proven track records.
The vision it to make Québec a North American leader in the realms of renewable energy, energy efficiency and electrification by the year 2030 and thus build a new, strong, low-carbon economy. This underpins the new 2030 Energy Policy launched in April and the Transportation Electrification Strategy unveiled last fall.
These plans, as well as our carbon market, were developed with our partnerships with our American friends and neighbors in mind. Our energy sectors, and our economies more broadly, are mutually interdependent. Québec’s long-running commitment to tackling climate change keeps these realities in mind.
We believe cross border cooperation is key to fighting climate change in the era of the Paris Agreement. This newsletter presents the contribution of our Office to building a strong relationship that contributes to these objectives.
Marie-Claude Francoeur
Québec Delegate to New England
.jpg?1461344926045)
.png?1461344926046)
.jpg?1461344926046){kind=logo}
.png?1461344926047)
