The people of North Vancouver are my boss. You first hired me in the election of 2015 and then again in 2019 and 2021. I am accountable to you for how I spend my time on the job – both as your MP and as Canada’s Minister of Natural Resources.
Lately, the job has involved an increasing amount of time overseas. It’s entirely reasonable that you might wonder why – particularly as the extent of my international commitments continues to escalate.
Simply put – international collaboration is the only way forward on climate change. Averting the worst impacts of climate change means successfully attaining clean energy security on a global scale.
It requires a transformation of how we power our individual lives and the world economy.
Here is a partial to-do list: accelerate the shift to non-emitting sources of energy such as wind, solar, geothermal and nuclear; expand the use of clean hydrogen and other low-emission fuels; electrify transport, industry and buildings; invest in emission-abating technologies.
No nation can do this on its own. Well-targeted international collaboration – spiced with competition - can make the shift to a low carbon future faster, less difficult and at lower cost. And it’s happening.
Canada seen as a leader
Partner countries and international agencies see Canada as a leader. Says Fatih Birol, CEO of the International Energy Agency: “Canada continues to be a bright spot in advancing the clean energy transition while supporting international energy security.”
I was recently asked to chair the International Energy Agency’s Working Group on Fuels Security and spent the first part of April in Germany. Our current task is to work out how to stabilize Europe’s energy security in the face of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Canada is assisting its friends and allies while laying the groundwork for economic opportunity at home.
We are actively working to see initial shipments of Canadian hydrogen delivered to Germany as early as 2025 – and we have seen major announcements in the critical minerals area recently, including Volkswagen’s first overseas EV battery plant in Ontario. These are the kinds of things that strengthen energy security and decarbonization while creating jobs and economic prosperity in Canada.
Last Thursday, I packed a suitcase for Japan for the G7 Ministers Meeting on Climate, Energy and Environment in Sapporo. And so, the work continues.
Roll up our sleeves
Canada has the expertise, the resources and the will to help move the international agenda forward while simultaneously advancing Canada’s economic interests. But we need to get out of our own backyard, tell our story, roll up our sleeves and work with our international partners on developing mutually beneficial solutions.
A plethora of multilateral cooperation on clean energy transition is rapidly gaining impactful momentum. However, it is not the stuff of headlines. By sharing what I am seeing, I hope Canadians feel reassured that the international community is not shirking in the face of climate change – and that Canada is at the very forefront of this work.
And I hope, tongue in cheek, that my bosses in North Vancouver will understand and support this nomadic dimension of their MP’s work on their behalf.