Minister McKenna discussed ocean health and economic opportunities from climate action, in New York City

NEW YORK, Feb. 22, 2018 /CNW/ - Today, Canada's Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Catherine McKenna, wrapped up meetings in New York City, during which she reinforced Canada's relationship with the U.S., highlighting the importance of NAFTA and trade for both countries as well as the need to accelerate climate action and sustainable finance to support a clean-growth economy for current and future generations.

Minister McKenna also advanced Canada's priority on working together on climate change, oceans, and clean energy, during its G7 presidency.

Minister McKenna met with representatives from the New York Green Bank and the Connecticut Green Bank. Canada is working to establish a Canada Infrastructure Bank, which will use federal support to attract private-sector and institutional investment to new revenue-generating projects that are in the public interest. This meeting was key to learning best practices in leveraging private-sector finance to stimulate investments in renewable energy and energy efficiency. 

Minister McKenna exchanged with New York City's Chief Resilience Officer and Senior Director of Climate Policy and Programs, Dan Zarrilli, on how communities can mitigate and adapt to climate change, learning from the city's past experience with extreme weather.

Minister McKenna also consulted on ocean health, with UN ambassadors from African coastal states and small island developing states and with the United Nations Special Envoy for the Ocean, Peter Thomson. The UN ambassadors expressed their extreme concern about the impacts of climate change in their countries and the health of the oceans. They also emphasized the importance of strong marine and coastal recovery strategies, resilience of coastal communities, and inclusive marine and coastal economic growth.

Minister McKenna continued her Climate Campus tour, at Columbia University's School of International and Public Affairs, where she spoke about Canada's leadership on climate change and the role youth play in building a clean-growth future.

Quotes

"I am proud to be in New York to reinforce Canada's relationship with the U.S., highlighting the importance of NAFTA and trade for both countries; the need to accelerate climate action and sustainable finance to support a clean-growth economy; and Canada's priorities for the G7, including ocean health. The environment and the economy go together."
? Catherine McKenna, Minister of Environment and Climate Change

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SOURCE Environment and Climate Change Canada