IISD Commends North American Leaders On Their Climate Change Statement

Canada, the United States and Mexico issued a statement today outlining a collaborative approach towards climate action.

Amin Asadollahi, International Institute for Sustainable Development’s (IISD) lead on North American climate mitigation, made the following statement:

“President Obama, President Peña Nieto and Prime Minister Trudeau have demonstrated climate leadership through their joint commitment to the Paris Agreement, by reducing greenhouse gas emissions, increasing renewable energy production and strengthening energy efficiency standards. Climate change transcends borders and through a collaborative approach, the three countries will be better positioned to compete in a world that is becoming increasingly carbon constrained.”

“A goal of 50 per cent clean power generation by 2025 puts the continent on the right path of building a more resilient energy sector. Governments should now provide policy signals needed to help the automotive sector to build cleaner vehicles, by setting continent-wide targets.” 

“We are also pleased to see the three leaders agreeing to advance previous commitments on short-lived climate pollutants and Mexico joining Canada and the United States in the common goal of reducing methane emissions from the oil and gas sector. Methane provides significant emission reduction potential and the three countries should aim to eliminate methane leaks as well as wasteful routine venting and flaring practices in the oil and gas sector, a target within reach by 2030.”

“Through a joint effort of protecting biodiversity, we can take advantage of opportunities that ecosystems provide for climate change mitigation and adaptation. We need sustainable development that avoids additional pressure on species, which face serious risks in a changing climate. With rapid decline of ecosystems, North America can take the lead in reversing this trend and meet global biodiversity commitments.”