Office of the Premier
The B.C. government is opening doors in China for B.C.’s clean technology companies with the signing of two significant climate change and clean energy-related agreements.
Now on her third trade mission to China, Premier Christy Clark and Guangdong Governor Zhu Xiaodan have signed a significant memorandum of understanding (MOU) that identifies climate change and low carbon development as areas of future co-operation.
- Expanding use of clean, renewable energy resources
- Enabling low-carbon, sustainable transportation technology and fuels
- Constructing energy efficient, low-carbon buildings
- Promoting low carbon waste handling
- Advancing research, development and deployment of promising new low-carbon technologies
- Developing market-based mechanisms, such as carbon pricing and trading systems
- Advancing trade and investment in low-carbon technologies
- Building sponge cities to cope with heavy rain and floods
- Optimizing urban and rural planning to incorporate low-carbon initiatives into the urbanisation process
“B.C. is recognized as a world leader in addressing climate change,” said Premier Clark. “There are many areas where B.C. and Guangdong companies can collaborate – from fuel cell technology to natural gas and other related products, this MOU will expand B.C.’s strong ties with Guangdong by creating new markets and opportunities for trade and information-sharing between our two provinces.”
In Shenzhen, Premier Clark and Minister of International Trade Teresa Wat met with Shenzhen Party Secretary Ma Xingrui to sign two MOUs – one on low-carbon development and clean technology co-operation; the other on trade and investment co-operation.
Specifically, the MOU on low-carbon development and clean technology will open up a collaborative framework for discussion, information exchange and activities that expand and strengthen co-operation in the areas of low carbon development and clean technology.
The MOU on trade and investment co-operation will help to expand and strengthen co-operation in trade promotion and two-way investment between B.C. and Shenzhen, in areas such as clean technology, information and communications technology (ICT), digital media and natural resources.
Building on these developments for B.C.’s clean technology sector, Premier Clark and Environment Minister Mary Polak will travel to Paris, France to attend the United Nations COP 21 Climate Change Conference. This global platform will provide Premier Clark and Polak the opportunity to engage with nations from around the world on important climate issues and profile B.C.’s climate leadership actions, including the creation of the Province’s new Climate Leadership Plan.
Trade missions are a critical part of British Columbia’s BC Jobs Plan strategy to diversify international trading partners and secure new investment, and help propel economic activity and job creation throughout the province.
Quick Facts:
- B.C.’s clean technology industry consists of more than 200 companies employing approximately 6,400 people and generates $1.7 billion in revenue.
- The global market for clean technology and services is expected to grow to $3 trillion by 2020.
- B.C. was the first jurisdiction in North America to introduce a broad-based, revenue-neutral carbon tax and to have a carbon-neutral public sector.
- British Columbia has expanded its trade and investment network in China and Hong Kong, with trade and investment representatives located in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Hong Kong.
Learn More:
For more details on Premier Clark’s trade mission to China, visit: https://news.gov.bc.ca/stories/trade-mission-to-china
For more information about B.C. trade and investment opportunities, visit: http://www.britishcolumbia.ca/
Learn more about the BC Jobs Plan at: www.bcjobsplan.ca
