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United States and Canada commit to join climate change efforts

At a joint press conference on March 10, 2016, US President Barack Obama and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced new steps to jointly address climate change, among other issues. Both leaders expressed full support for implementing the Paris agreement. The US and Canada plan to cooperate through joint regulatory actions as well as international institutions, such as the G-20 and International Civil Aviation Organization.

Canada and the US will develop emissions standards for the oil and gas sector. Both countries have committed to reducing methane emissions from the oil and gas sector by 40 to 45 percent below 2012 levels by 2025. Canada intends to publish proposed and finalized methane regulations by the end of 2017. Canadian regulations will address new and existing operations. The US has already introduced standards for new and modified sources, and will begin developing regulations to address existing sources as well.

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Both the US and Canada have also agreed to support the deployment and integration of carbon markets. The two countries will work with states, provinces, and territories to ensure the integrity of transferred units and avoid “double-counting” emission reductions. Additionally, both countries affirmed their commitment to reducing the use and emission of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) and will adopt a Montreal Protocol HFC phasedown amendment in 2016.

Both the US and Canada pledge to cooperate on clean energy, including the integration of renewable energy, aligned energy efficiency standards, development of clean energy and technology, and a joint strategy for strengthening the North American electricity grid.

Transportation-related emissions are also the subject of joint action. Through the International Civil Aviation Organization, the US and Canada will work to reduce emissions from international aviation. Additionally, both counties will implement aligned greenhouse gas emissions standards for post-2018 model year on-road heavy-duty vehicles.

Sources: Statement by the Prime Minister of Canada on the Bilateral Meeting with President Obama, 10 March 2016 U.S.-Canada Joint Statement on Climate, Energy, and Arctic Leadership, March 10, 2016 Reducing methane emissions from Canada’s oil and gas industry, 10 March 2016 EPA Taking Steps to Cut Methane Emissions from Existing Oil and Gas Sources, March 10, 2016

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