Alberta and UK establish new low carbon partnership

by Morinville News Staff

The government announced Tuesday that Energy Minister Margaret McCuaig-Boyd and British High Commissioner to Canada Howard Drake have signed a UK-Alberta Low Carbon Innovation and Growth Framework.

The government says the framework will facilitate partnerships between Alberta and UK stakeholders that will drive economic development, diversification, innovation and job creation, and enhance collaboration on low-carbon technology and innovation. Additionally, the two sides see it as an opportunity to develop further UK-Alberta dialogues on energy and environmental policy and regulation.

“Alberta is a world-class energy producing jurisdiction. Our regulatory processes and skilled workforce are recognized around the globe as being second to none,” said Margaret McCuaig-Boyd, Minister of Energy, in a release Tuesday, adding the government’s Climate Leadership Plan is showing the world responsible oil and gas production can go hand-in-hand with environmental stewardship.

“We are pleased to partner with the UK to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and take real action against climate change. There is much our jurisdictions can learn from one another, and the framework we are signing paves the way for that work to begin in earnest.”

British High Commissioner Howard Drake said the climate change deal in Paris was historic, but now is the time for the real work of implementing it.

“We welcome Premier Notley’s Climate Leadership Plan, which is a step change in Alberta’s approach to climate,” Drake said. “This framework recognizes the importance the UK places on helping Alberta meet its environmental challenges. But this is not a one-way street. Alberta has some world-class regulatory and performance standards in areas such as shale gas development. We’ve already been tapping into that expertise, including with the Alberta Energy Regulator. This Framework will grow that dialogue further.”

The two governments will use the framework to bring industry, innovators, and other stakeholders together to grow low carbon economies in both jurisdictions.

Focus areas include promoting energy efficiency, smart cities initiatives, environmental performance, including emission reduction and water usage, and energy regulation and performance, including in onshore shale gas. Additionally, the framework will focus on increasing the proportion of renewables in energy markets.

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