Washington, D.C. — President Barack Obama and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau took a critical step toward leaving a safer and healthier planet to future generations by issuing a U.S.-Canada joint agreement aimed squarely at curbing climate change, accelerating clean energy use, and safeguarding the Arctic. Center for American Progress President and CEO Neera Tanden said the following about the joint U.S.-Canada agreement:
For the first time in 15 years, leaders from Canada and the United States are standing shoulder-to-shoulder with a shared vision of a sustainable future. Requiring oil and gas facilities to clean up dangerous methane leaks is a common-sense policy that will protect the health of communities living near these facilities and take the next crucial step in the fight against climate change. CAP also strongly supports the joint U.S.-Canada commitment to consider the climate change consequences of commercial development in the Arctic—including black carbon pollution and heavy fuel oil use for Arctic shipping—and to strengthen the resilience of Arctic communities by increasing access to renewable energy and energy efficiency.
By jointly committing to new and ambitious climate actions, President Obama and Prime Minister Trudeau have put their countries on a path to meet their commitments under the Paris climate agreement, to set more ambitious climate goals in the future, and to reduce the risks of Arctic and global warming.
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For more information on this topic or to speak with an expert, contact Tom Caiazza at tcaiazza@americanprogress.org or 202.481.7141.