The G7: collective action for a greener future

Achieving a sustainable future means combating climate change, improving the health of the world’s oceans, and transforming the way we produce and use energy. It requires a global transition from the energy that has powered our societies for generations to clean, renewable sources.

Canada and its G7 partners recognise the urgent need to accelerate this transition, and as a global community we know we need to step up our efforts.

Our government has a clear goal: we want to be a leader in the clean-growth century by leveraging the resources we have today to deliver clean energy solutions for tomorrow. We believe that the environment and the economy go together and that clean technology is the engine for economic growth. This is why we are making generational investments in technology and innovation to develop the resources that will deliver long-term benefits for generations to come.

We have committed to spending some $22 billion over 11 years to support green infrastructure and drive clean growth – all part of our Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change, a plan that will allow us to meet our targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, grow the economy and build resilience to climate change.

Smart investments
In the past few months, we have invested in smart electricity grids, electric and alternative-fuel charging stations, more energy-efficient homes and help for northern communities to move away from diesel. We are also reimagining carbon, by helping to turn otherwise harmful carbon dioxide emissions into valuable products such as building materials, alternative fuels and consumer goods. And let’s not forget our $1.5 billion Oceans Protection Plan.

Internationally, Canada has joined Mission Innovation, a global initiative to accelerate clean energy innovation, pledging to double public investments in clean energy research, development and demonstration to $775 million per year by 2020.

Each of these takes us a step closer to the future we want: a country driven by clean technology and defined by innovation.

The interconnected world we live in means we have to work with international partners to develop truly global solutions. This is why Canada’s 2018 G7 presidency is a significant opportunity for us. We get to speak with a strong voice on the international stage, engage our G7 counterparts on pressing global challenges – such as achieving a more sustainable future through clean and secure energy – and make real progress on the goals we all share.

And while every G7 summit focuses on the day’s most pressing global challenges, the agenda is always enriched by the country that hosts it. This year, Canada will advance domestic and international priorities framed by the themes of investing in growth that works for everyone, preparing for jobs of the future, advancing gender equality and women’s empowerment, working together on climate change, oceans and clean energy, and building a more peaceful and secure world.

Specifically, we hope to address matters such as how can the G7 accelerate the transition to low-carbon, climate-resilient economies? What issues, areas or initiatives should we prioritise? How can we create a cleaner environment for future generations, while also creating jobs and growth that benefit everyone? What are the most important issues facing our oceans and coastal communities today? Finally, how can we advance gender equality and women’s empowerment through our actions related to climate change, oceans and clean growth?

There is a lot of work ahead. But throughout our G7 presidency, Canada is determined to chart new routes towards a more clean, secure and sustainable future. To do so, we plan to promote strong engagement with our domestic and international partners, the private sector and Indigenous and local communities.

Our goal is that by 2050 Canadians will enjoy a thriving, zero-carbon economy – one that will be powered by a mix of old and new sources of energy. As the world undergoes a historic transition to cleaner forms of energy, we believe that Canada is uniquely positioned to lead the way.