Today, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau took part virtually in the fourth Major Economic Powers Forum (EMPF) Leaders’ Meeting on energy and climate. This forum aims to accelerate the collective effort that will enable us to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius. This activity kicked off an ambitious year of climate action ahead of COP28.

At the forum, hosted by US President Joe Biden, the Prime Minister met with leaders from the world’s major economies: Germany, Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Egypt, European Commission, United Arab Emirates, Indonesia, Japan, Republic Korea, Mexico, United Kingdom and Türkiye. Also present were His Excellency António Guterres, Secretary General of the United Nations, as well as representatives from China, France, India, Italy and Saudi Arabia.

In his speech, the Prime Minister highlighted Canada’s ambition and leadership on climate issues, particularly in relation to pollution pricing. As the G7 country with the highest percentage reduction in emissions since 2019, Canada is clearly showing a path to creating good jobs and growing the economy while tackling the climate crisis. The Prime Minister invited other countries to join this effort and participate in Canada’s Global Carbon Pricing Challenge.

Prime Minister Trudeau also outlined other actions Canada is taking to combat climate change while boosting the economy, including accelerating progress on zero-emission vehicles. In addition, the prime minister expressed his support for the work to develop clean energy resources, end global deforestation and reduce non-CO2 greenhouse gas emissions.

The Prime Minister announced that Canada is joining the Methane Finance Sprint initiative, which aims to raise funds ahead of COP28 to help developing countries develop this powerful greenhouse gas. He also announced that Canada will provide $3.5 million over three years to help two small Pacific island developing states – Fiji and Samoa – reduce methane emissions and meet their goals under the agreement .

Prime Minister Trudeau also highlighted support for the launch of the Carbon Management Challenge and a successful replenishment of the Montreal Protocol Multilateral Fund to encourage the rapid implementation of action to reduce hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs). Finally, the Prime Minister took the opportunity to recall Canada’s longstanding support for efforts to improve the capacity of multilateral development banks to address global challenges, including climate change.

The Prime Minister said he was pleased at the prospect of continuing to work with the major economic powers, making progress towards COP28 and creating good jobs for citizens, strong economies and a healthy environment on a global scale.

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