Ontario, Canada, to Help Developing Countries Fight Climate Change
Ontario, Canada, has signed a letter of intent to help a developing region create plans to fight climate change through a plan run by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
Under the program, Ontario will enter into a three-year agreement and anticipates a contribution of $1 million (£576,000) during that period in a combination of funding and in-kind support. This could include sharing technology, information, expertise, and ideas that will help its partner-region create and implement its own climate change strategies. Details of the sponsorship and identity of the developing partner-region will be determined over the next several months between Ontario and the UNDP.
"Climate change is the biggest single threat facing our world today. We know our actions are getting results and we are happy to share the measures Ontario is taking to fight climate change," said John Gerretsen, Ontario's Minister of the Environment.
The UNDP's Territorial Approach to Climate Change (TACC) program was launched in October 2008 by five United Nations agencies and eight associations of regions, including The Climate Group, of which Ontario is a member.
A number of sub-national governments have signed statements of intent with the UNDP under the TACC program, including Wales, Catalonia, Brittany, California, Quebec and Manitoba.
Ontario has taken substantive actions to reduce greenhouse gases (GHGs) such as phasing out use of coal-generated electricity - the single largest GHG reduction initiative in Canada. The government also has been working with other jurisdictions, including Quebec, western provinces and states, to develop a cap-and-trade system that aligns with the American approach.