Canada-China statement on climate change and clean growth

Plain language summary

The Canada-China Joint Statement on Climate Change and Clean Growth was issued by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Premier Li Keqiang in Beijing on December 4, 2017, on the occasion of the second Canada-China Annual Leaders’ Dialogue. It highlights the ongoing bilateral collaboration and the potential for enhanced engagement between the two countries and states that the Paris Agreement is irreversible and will not be renegotiated. Through the Joint Statement, the leaders of the two countries reaffirmed both countries’ commitment to tackle climate change and are committed to take concrete actions and demonstrate determination to encourage the transition to a competitive, low-carbon, climate-resilient economy and society, and promote clean growth. The two countries also agreed to establish two ministerial-level dialogues on Climate Change and Clean Energy between their respective departments of environment and clean energy.

Objective

To strengthen bilateral cooperation and accelerate the two countries’ efforts to mitigate climate change, build resilience and support clean growth.

Key elements

Both countries are committed to take concrete action in the areas of:

• Sharing information on relevant domestic policies, exchanging best practices, promoting cooperation on technology research and development;
• Facilitating business-to-business engagement to help capture economic opportunities arising from the transition to a greener, low-carbon economy;
• Establishing the Ministerial Dialogue on Climate Change to provide a forum for a comprehensive policy dialogue on climate change;
• Establishing the Ministerial Dialogue on Clean Energy to provide a forum to facilitate clean energy solutions;
• Promoting sustainable energy and resource development, and exploring the possibility of accelerating innovation and commercialization of clean energy and technology demonstrations projects.

Expected results

Through the cooperative actives listed in the Joint Statement, Canada and China expect to advance domestic and international action to combat climate change and encourage clean growth.

Canada’s involvement

This Joint Statement strengthens Canada’s cooperation with China on mitigating climate change and promoting clean growth, which supports commitments under the Paris Agreement and on climate action.

Results / progress

Activities

The first Ministerial Dialogue on Climate Change was held in November 2018, chaired by Canada’s Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Catherine McKenna, and China’s Minister of Ecology and Environment, Li Ganjie. Following the dialogue, the two sides signed the Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation on Climate Change.

In addition, Canada continues its support for the work of the China Council for International Cooperation on Environment and Development.