Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Catherine McKenna, has productive discussions on climate action and clean growth with Irish leaders

DUBLIN, Oct. 13, 2017 /CNW/ -  Canada's Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Catherine McKenna, met with Irish Taoiseach (Prime Minister) Leo Varadkar; Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, Denis Naughten; Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government, Eoghan Murphy; and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Simon Coveney.

During the meeting with Taoiseach Varadkar, both sides underscored the strong ties between Canada and Ireland. They pointed to the opening of a new Irish ‎Consulate in Vancouver and the addition of direct flights from Canada to Ireland as signs of this strong relationship. They discussed the benefits of the Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) and the economic opportunities created by climate action and clean growth. They also talked about the possible effects of the preliminary U.S. anti-dumping and countervailing duty investigations into imports of Bombardier's C Series aircraft could have on workers, communities and the aerospace sector in both Canada and Northern Ireland.

Minister McKenna and Minister Naughten discussed the need to take ambitious climate action and the need to urgently reduce carbon pollution. They also discussed the importance of the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol, which can prevent the increase of global temperature of up to half a degree Celsius by 2100, in the lead up to its ratification.

Minister McKenna and Minister Coveney discussed ways Canada and Ireland can increase trade in clean technologies under CETA and how it can support climate action and growth. Further, they underscored the importance of Bombardier and the C Series aircraft to the economy of Northern Ireland. They agreed to continue to raise this issue with Boeing and with the U.S. government at the highest levels on behalf of aerospace workers in both Canada and Northern Ireland.

Minister McKenna and Minister Murphy discussed green energy efficient buildings, and the great opportunity it presents for climate action and clean growth. 

All discussions touched on how Canada and Ireland can cooperate on clean technology and renewable energy such as tidal and offshore wind power.

These meetings helped strengthen the strong ties between Canada and Ireland. Canada will continue to work with partners to transition to a low-carbon economy to leave a healthier planet and a strong low carbon economy to future generations.

SOURCE Environment and Climate Change Canada