Canada Increases Funding for Global Effort to Fight Climate Change

May 28, 2010

Winnipeg (Manitoba) ― Today, the Honourable Beverley J. Oda, Minister of International Cooperation, and the Honourable Jim Prentice, Minister of the Environment, announced that Canada is increasing its help for developing countries that are actioning key global environmental agreements, including reducing emissions and adapting to climate change. The contribution of $238.4 million over the four-year period of 2010-2014 to the Global Environment Facility (GEF) marks an increase of 50% over Canada's previous contribution of $158.94 million for the past four years.

"With increasing threats from climate change, pollution, and shrinking biodiversity, the GEF is helping developing countries to meet the world's goals for development, climate protection, and the conservation of natural resources," said Minister Oda. "This funding will enable countries to better adapt to the adverse effects of climate change and support Canada's efforts to build the agricultural sector underlying the food security needs in these countries."

"The additional $18.5 million per year makes our contribution to the GEF Canada's first instalment on our climate change fast-start funding as part of our commitment under the Copenhagen Accord", said Minister Prentice. "Over 50% of Canada's total four year contribution to the GEF will be spent on activities to help developing countries in their efforts to address climate change through both mitigation and adaptation".

Through its climate change portfolio, the Global Environment Facility is helping developing countries expand their use of clean energy and reduce their consumption of fossil fuel, thereby mitigating climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The GEF is also one of the largest funding agencies of renewable energy in the developing world, supporting solar, wind, geothermal, biomass, and small hydropower energy.

Canada's contribution to the Global Environment Facility supports the Government's international development priorities of increasing food security, securing a future for children and youth, and stimulating sustainable economic growth.


Information:

Jessica Fletcher
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of International Cooperation
Telephone: 819-953-6238

Media Relations Office
Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA)
Telephone: 819-953-6534
E-mail: media@acdi-cida.gc.ca

Frédéric Baril
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of the Environment
Telephone: 819-997-1441

Media Relations
Environment Canada
Telephone: 819-934-8008
Toll-Free: 1-888-908-8008

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Backgrounder

Canada Announces an Increase in Funding for Global Effort to Fight Climate Change

The Global Environment Facility is the largest environmental multilateral fund in the world. It provides funding to achieve global environmental benefits and is the principle means by which the Government of Canada meets its commitments to help developing countries to implement the following agreements:

• The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change;
• The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification;
• The UN Convention on Biodiversity; and
• The Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants;

The Global Environment Facility works in six focal areas:

• climate change;
• biodiversity;
• land degradation (desertification and deforestation);
• persistent organic pollutants;
• ozone depleting substances in the former Soviet Union; and
• international waters.

Since its inception, the Global Environment Facility has provided US$8 billion in grants, and has provided US$33 billion in co-financing for over 2,000 projects in 165 countries.

Canada, through the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), has been a strong supporter of the Global Environment Facility since its inception and is the sixth largest contributor. CIDA's most consistent and ongoing support to addressing the impact of climate change is through its contributions to the Global Environment Facility. These contributions enable developing countries, which are particularly vulnerable to climate change, to better adapt to its adverse effects.

Canada's contributions to the Global Environment Facility support the Government's international development priorities of increasing food security, securing a future for children and youth, and stimulating sustainable economic growth. Initiatives in water management and conservation of biodiversity, together with the prevention of land degradation and deforestation, contribute to increasing food security in developing countries. A healthy environment with the reduced presence of persistent organic pollutants and ozone depleting substances is critical for the well-being of citizens, especially children and youth. The development of energy-efficient technologies supported by the Global Environment Facility aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, promote 'green' investments, and increase local economic development opportunities.

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The Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (137 KB, 34 pages)