Canada and France share a commitment to safeguard the planet and the future of the generations to come. Together we will accelerate climate action and work together towards a clean and prosperous future. We recognize that the Paris Agreement is irreversible and we are committed to its full and effective implementation. We support the Paris agreement temperature goal of holding the increase to well below 2 degrees Celsius and pursuing efforts to limit the increase to 1.5 degrees. We also recognize that common rules for all Parties, with particular reference to the transparency framework and mitigation guidance, are essential to ensure the effective implementation of the Paris Agreement provisions. We are also firmly committed to gender equality and the empowerment of women. Women and girls are part of the fight against climate change and the energy transition.
The Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change, adopted on December 9, 2016, is Canada's plan — developed with provinces and territories and through engagement with Indigenous Peoples — to meet its emissions reduction target under the Paris Agreement, build climate resilience, and grow the economy. Canada's target is to reduce its emissions to 30 percent below 2005 levels, by 2030. Canada has its long-term, low carbon development strategy looking at pathways to 2050, which it launched at CoP22 in November 2016.
On 6 July 2017, the French government adopted its Climate Plan to accelerate the energy transition and the implementation of the Paris agreement. This Climate Plan sets a new course to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, reduces France’s dependence on fossil fuels and promotes an inclusive approach.
To build on these decisions, Canada and France will collaborate to promote and quickly implement the Paris Agreement. To this end, our countries are committed to the following partnership: (See Annex for specific initiatives)
Reducing international ground, sea and air transport emissions
Canada and France will take joint action at the International Maritime Organization and the International Civil Aviation Organization in order to secure ambitious outcomes, to support the Paris Agreement temperature goal, for reducing greenhouse gas emissions in these sectors and to encourage innovation and further research.
Canada and France will work to lower greenhouse gas emissions from the ground transportation sector. Opportunities exist through new technologies, fuels, and innovation and efficiencies in energy production to substantially reduce emissions in this sector.
Canada and France encourage fuel-efficient consumer behaviour; collaborating on the adoption of green freight initiatives; sharing best practices on electric vehicle and alternative fuel infrastructure deployment; and, supporting low carbon transportation fuel production and use.
Promoting energy efficiency
Canada and France will work together on energy efficiency as a means of meeting domestic and international objectives on climate change. This includes actions to accelerate the adoption of energy efficiency policies, programs and practices such as green procurement, including through multilateral initiatives under the International Energy Agency, the Clean Energy Ministerial, the International Partnership for Energy Efficiency Corporation, and the G20.
Measuring and pricing carbon emissions
Building on their experience, Canada and France will promote efficient carbon pricing (including national and other levels of government), and identify opportunities to better align practices. This will include experience-sharing on the implementation of carbon pricing and the measure of the impacts on economic actors. Together, we will encourage economic actors to make a long-term commitment to clean growth and the low-carbon economy.
Promoting sustainable development issues in international bodies
Canada and France are working together to increase global awareness, including at the G7, G20, World Trade organisation, International Energy Agency, Clean Energy Ministerial, Mission Innovation, Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, and within the United Nations to promote and ensure the swift implementation of the Paris Agreement. We will make outreach efforts to encourage all countries to ratify and implement the Kigali amendment to the Montreal Protocol, and support the replenishment of the Global Environment Facility as well as the ongoing operationalization of the Green Climate Fund. We are also working towards the elimination of inefficient fossil-fuel subsidies by 2025, in keeping with G7/G20 commitments to support the global transition to a low carbon economy, and support the G20 peer review process.
In international fora, we support the principles that gender equality and empowerment of women should be respected, promoted and considered.
We are working together within the group of Friends of the Global Pact for the Environment.
We promote trade policies that:
- Contribute to broader economic, social and environmental objectives, and that are compatible with the Paris Agreement;
- Maintain the ability of governments to achieve legitimate public policy objectives, such as public health, social services, public education, safety, as well as environment – notably with regard to the Investment Court System ; and
- Promote high standards and regulations related to food safety, product safety, consumer protection, health, environment or labour protection.
Including climate in development assistance actions
Canada and France are committed to the implementation of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in their cooperation action. Canada and France have been developing respective national coordination mechanisms to ensure the effective promotion of, participation in, and contribution to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.
Canada and France support the implementation of the Paris Agreement by all countries. We are helping developing countries to build low-carbon and climate-resilient economies. We also aim to increase efforts to mobilize public and private finance for climate actions.
On mitigation, we support efforts of countries to adopt energy efficiency policies and practices, as well as strategies to phase out existing traditional coal power and promote renewable energy.
On adaptation, we will support efforts to enhance adaptive capacity and strengthen the resilience of vulnerable countries, including coastal and small island developing nations that are disproportionately affected by climate risks and extreme weather events.
We recognize that women and girls are especially vulnerable to the damaging effects of climate change and we will increase efforts to integrate gender priorities in our climate actions.
Reducing emissions in the forestry and agriculture sectors
Canada and France are committed to implementing sustainable forest management both globally and domestically, so as to follow through on their international commitments, including the relevant decisions under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, the United Nations Convention on Biodiversity, the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification, and the principles of the Montreal Process. Canada and France are committed to international efforts to support developing countries in their endeavour to reduce emissions from deforestation and forest degradation.
Canada and France are committed to developing solutions that aim to reduce emissions from the agriculture sector by half by 2050. They are also committed to supporting and helping to meet the global private-sector goal of eliminating deforestation from the production of agricultural commodities, as agreed under the New York Declaration on Forests. These joint efforts will help reduce deforestation and forest degradation in developing countries.
Strengthening collaboration on climate change science as well as research and innovation
Canada and France will work collaboratively on earth observation and promote the free and open release of geospatial data and contribute to its analysis to understand climate change impacts and greenhouse gas emissions, evaluate measures to mitigate them, and support effective adaptation.
Canada and France are encouraging both public and private stakeholders to create closer ties to pursue research on clean technologies (e.g., renewables and energy efficiency initiatives) and the fight against climate change, alongside the re-channelling of aid mechanisms.
We are working collaboratively through multilateral fora including Mission Innovation, the Clean Energy Ministerial, and the International Energy Agency, to:
- Accelerate clean energy innovation;
- Advance the research, development and commercialisation of energy technologies; and
- Collaborate on initiatives to drive the global clean energy transition on policy and technology solutions in areas such as energy efficiency, energy systems, and integration.
Developing green finance and budgeting
At all levels, Canada and France are encouraging experience-sharing on green and sustainable financing, and have discussions to help strengthen the ownership of these issues by all stakeholders, as well as the integrity of markets and products which involve financing the transition towards low-carbon, resilient economies. This cooperation also encompasses initiatives that promote awareness of climate change issues within the responsibilities of regulators, in alignment with the recommendations of the G20 Task Force on Climate Disclosure.
Canada and France wish to increase their experience-sharing on initiatives designed to promote alignment between national budgetary processes and environmental goals.
Advancing ecosystem and nature-based approaches for climate change adaptation and mitigation strategies
As Parties to the Paris Agreement and to the Convention on Biological Diversity, Canada and France are committed to achieving both climate change and biodiversity objectives.
We recognize that the conservation of biodiversity, and of the ecosystem services that it supports, is vital to addressing the challenges presented by climate change.
Canada and France acknowledge that ecosystems play an important role in addressing climate change – through mitigation (e.g. as carbon sinks) and adaptation (e.g. through the use of natural infrastructure to buffer the effects of extreme weather events).
Healthy, biologically diverse ecosystems may increase climate resilience by reducing the vulnerability of communities to climate change and increasing their capacity to recover from climate change impacts.
For the Government of Canada
Mrs Catherine MCKENNA
Minister of Environment and Climate Change
For the Government of the French Republic
Mr Nicolas HULOT
Minister for the Ecological and Inclusive Transition
Annex: French-Canadian cooperation actions for 2018-2019
Reducing international ground, sea and air transport emissions
- Canada and France are working together through the International Maritime Organization in support of the Paris Agreement’s temperature goal in an effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from international shipping. Canada and France support the adoption of a global and ambitious strategy at the International Maritime Organization following the April 2018 meeting of the Marine Environment Protection Committee, in line with the Tony de Brum declaration to which both countries have committed.
- Canada and France will work together at the International Civil Aviation Organization to maintain ambition and support the implementation of the CORSIA (Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation).
Promoting energy efficiency
- Canada and France will actively contribute to the Global Alliance for Buildings and Construction, and the Near Zero Energy Buildings Campaign of the Clean Energy Ministerial co-led by France and the European Commission.
- Canada and France will collaborate to accelerate the adoption of energy efficiency policies, programs and practices at the International Partnership for Energy Efficiency Cooperation, International Energy Agency and the G20.
- Through green government procurement, Canada and France will also commit to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, including through transitioning to highly efficient buildings, zero-emission vehicle fleets, and 100% clean power.
Measuring and pricing domestic carbon emissions
- Canada and France will organize a seminar with relevant European and Canadian stakeholders and other levels of governments to discuss the potential of achieving greater alignment between the European and Canadian carbon pricing systems, and to share experiences of various carbon pricing approaches, including linked carbon markets.
- As founding members of the Carbon Pricing Leadership Coalition, which brings together government, business and civil society to catalyse action toward successful implementation of carbon pricing, Canada and France will take joint outreach initiatives to mobilize new players to carbon pricing globally.
Promoting sustainable development issues in international fora
- Canada and France will jointly encourage further research and analysis on environment provisions in free trade agreements, including at the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, to promote mutual supportiveness between trade and sustainable development.
- Canada and France will advance shared priorities through Clean Energy Ministerial initiatives, such as the International Smart Grids Action Network, Global Lighting Challenge, Electric Vehicles Campaign and Initiative, and through Mission Innovation’s work to accelerate clean energy innovation.
Including climate in development assistance actions
- Canada and France will hold an annual bilateral development dialogue with a view to advancing shared objectives in international assistance and exploring possible areas for cooperation, including the promotion of the environment and climate protection. French and Canadian diplomatic posts will work together to identify the needs and the best courses of action.
- Canada and France, through their respective international assistance policies, will promote gender equality and support women’s ability to increase the resilience of their crops, access to water and other natural resources, and their participation in making environmental decisions, including in the renewable energy sector.
- Canada and France support the Powering Past Coal Alliance and will promote best practices and technologies as well as financing solutions for projects based on renewable energy and energy storage, supporting government capacity-building and workers and communities.
- Canada and France commit to significantly increase the capacity of Least Developed Countries and Small Island Developing States to generate and communicate early warnings and risk information, including through our support to the Climate Risk and Early Warning Systems.
- Canada and France will work together within appropriate multilateral fora to accelerate action to build the resilience by 2030 of vulnerable coastal communities, including Small Island Developing States and other low-lying coastal communities in developing countries.
- Canada and France are making a joint commitment to support the training of female francophone negotiators from African countries to enable their meaningful participation in international climate change negotiations.
Reducing emissions in the forestry and agriculture sectors
- Canada and France are exploring ways to work together to support the Impact Investment Fund for Land Degradation Neutrality of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification, in order to help finance sustainable land management and restore degraded land.
- Canada and France will continue to support developing countries’ efforts to reduce emissions from deforestation and forest degradation through the Green Climate Fund (REDD+) and the Forest Carbon Partnership Facility, and will encourage experience-sharing on performance-based approaches.
- Canada and France collaborate within the “4 per 1000” initiative to improve and maintain soil carbon sequestration in order to address simultaneously food security, climate resilience and carbon neutrality challenges.
Strengthening collaboration on climate change science as well as research and innovation
- Canada and France will strengthen collaboration through multilateral fora, such as the European Space Agency, to promote the free and open release of spatial data and its analysis with the potential to inform climate action.
- Canada and France will work together within multilateral fora to improve earth observation and map the oceans using satellites in order to better understand climate change impacts, improve resilience of coastal zones, and protect fragile ecosystems, including the Arctic.
- Working within existing Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) mechanisms, Canada and France will collaborate to advance a common strategy to sustain the IPCC financial situation in the long term, including through multi-year commitments.
- Canada and France will advance gender equality and work to empower women and girls in Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics to contribute to climate change science and research innovation through such channels as the Clean Energy Ministerial, the International Energy Agency, and the IPCC.
Developing green and sustainable finance
- Canada and France will co-host a joint roundtable discussion with business leaders on sustainable finance, including climate related financial risk disclosure. In addition, Canada and France will continue to foster experience and knowledge sharing in the area of green and sustainable finance through various existing fora, including the G20 Sustainable Finance Study Group (SFSG). The SFSG allows Canada and France to continue to share best practices and successes in an effective and constructive manner (e.g. in France, article 173 of the 2016 energy transition law). The conclusions of the roundtable will be shared with the G20 SFSG. Canada and France will work together within the G7 to advance global progress on sustainable finance. This includes: furthering the work made under the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosure; enhancing the role of institutional investors in sustainable finance; and advancing the engagement of philanthropic investors for sustainable finance. The Bank of Canada has also been in contact with the dedicated network of central banks and supervisors.
Advancing ecosystem and nature-based approaches for climate change adaptation and mitigation
- By way of their respective commitments under the Paris Agreement and the Convention on Biological Diversity, Canada and France will work to ensure that their national responses to these two global environmental agreements are inherently consistent and mutually supportive. They will aim to hold regular dialogues and to consult each other prior to relevant meetings of international fora, namely the Convention on Biological Diversity, to share information and advance shared objectives.
- Further, Canada and France will work together through appropriate international fora to promote stronger awareness of, and the continued development and use of, tools for implementing nature-based approaches, which consider the natural environment and natural infrastructure when designing and implementing strategies for environmental challenges.
- With a view to the 2020 meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity, Canada and France will hold an expert dialogue on biodiversity and recognition of indigenous traditional knowledge.