Global energy markets have undergone radical shifts in the past six months, largely as result of Russia's illegal invasion of Ukraine. In response to price volatility and energy security concerns, Canada and its international partners have doubled-down on the global energy transition.
With one of the world's most comprehensive and detailed climate plans, and with a wealth of natural resources, Canada is poised to establish itself as the global supplier of choice for clean energy in a net-zero world. The Government of Canada continues to do the work to make this happen by making significant progress in implementing Canada's world-leading climate plan and investing in our economic future.
Today, the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Natural Resources, concluded his participation at the first Global Clean Energy Action Forum (GCEAF) in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This was the Minister's first trip to the United States since his successful round of meetings in Washington, D.C. in May 2022.
The Forum marked the joint convening of the 13th Clean Energy Ministerial (CEM) and the 7th Mission Innovation (MI) Ministerial, of which Canada is a founding member, a landmark event to accelerate the implementation of a clean energy transition. It brought together over 6,000 representatives from MI- and CEM-member governments, business and environmental advocacy organizations.
Over three days of meetings and events, Minister Wilkinson and officials from Natural Resources Canada:
Met with major clean tech leaders and investors to discuss and advance private-sector investments in Canada;
Met with international counterparts from Australia, Austria, Chile, Japan, Poland, Ukraine, United Kingdom, the United States and others to collaborate on energy security and the deployment of clean energy solutions;
Announced a $5.3-million investment to Student Energy to promote youth participation in Canada's clean energy sector;
Committed $2 billion in pre-allocated money to the Major Economies Forum's $90-billion Clean Energy Technologies Demonstration Challenge;
Confirmed Canada's participation in the newly launched MI Net-Zero Industries Mission, which aims to develop and demonstrate cost-competitive solutions for hard-to-abate industries;
Endorsed the CEM CCUS Initiative's collaboration with the Global Cement and Concrete Association (GCCA) toward deploying 10 CCUS projects in the sector globally by 2030;
Endorsed work to advance key MI Missions, including the launch of mission action plans, roadmaps and flagship projects for Carbon Dioxide Removal, Clean Hydrogen, Green-Powered Future and Integrated Biorefineries Missions;
Endorsed the CEM's new commitments to Equal By 30 and welcomed Chile as the newest signatory to the Equal By 30 Campaign;
Endorsed the launch of the Canadian-funded International Energy Agency-Empowering People Initiative report "Skills Development and Inclusivity for Clean Energy Transitions," which introduces key findings of a joint report on jobs and skills for the clean energy future; and
Launched the application process for NRCan's new Youth Council.
Minister Wilkinson was pleased to note recent progress on implementing climate action from international partners, including the United States. He had the chance to highlight the concrete steps taken toward the energy transition during the German Chancellor's visit to Canada, where Canada and Germany committed to a Hydrogen Alliance.
The Minister will return to Canada to continue to work with provinces and territories, Indigenous partners, private industry, labour groups and environmental organizations to establish Canada as the global supplier of choice for clean energy in a net-zero world -- and to ensure a prosperous and clean future for Canadians from coast to coast to coast.
