NEW YORK CITY, April 4, 2016 /CNW/ - The Honourable Jim Carr, Canada's Minister of Natural Resources, delivered a keynote address today at one of the world's most important energy summits, the Future of Energy Global Summit, hosted by Bloomberg in New York.

In his address, Minister Carr emphasized Canada's leadership in establishing a continental approach to energy cooperation and security as North America moves toward a low-carbon energy future. This leadership started with the Memorandum of Understanding on Climate Change and Energy Collaboration, which the Minister signed with his U.S. and Mexico counterparts in Winnipeg, Manitoba, in February 2016. The purpose of this transformational agreement is to expand the energy relationship between the three countries and facilitate collaboration and information sharing on key areas such as low-carbon electricity; clean energy technologies; energy efficiency; carbon capture, use and storage; climate change adaptation; and reducing emissions from the oil and gas sector, including from methane.

The Minister outlined the importance of the Memorandum of Understanding as a building block for the recent agreement between Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and U.S. President Barack Obama to work closely together on a number of key issues of common interest, including cutting emissions, enhancing the integration of electricity grids, aligning energy-efficiency standards, developing clean energy technologies, and setting new science-based standards for oil and gas in the Arctic.

Minister Carr also reiterated the Government's commitment to ensuring that a strong economy and clean environment go hand in hand and highlighted federal budget investments in clean energy technologies, energy efficiency and green infrastructure.

While in New York, the Minister will also take the opportunity to meet with key industry leaders to discuss Canada's energy development and environmental stewardship priorities.

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"The best way to predict the future is to create it. As Canada moves toward a low-carbon economy, we are focused on achieving success through collaboration with other governments, industry and key stakeholders. No one country can do it alone. By working together with the private sector, we will ensure that our energy resources and supplies are developed in a sustainable way and that generations to come can enjoy the benefits of a growing economy and a clean energy future."

Jim Carr
Canada's Minister of Natural Resources

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SOURCE Natural Resources Canada