For the second time this year, British Columbia has been invited by the International Monetary Fund to the share climate-action successes with leaders from around the globe.

The International Monetary Fund is covering the expenses for Environment Minister Mary Polak to join the 2015 Annual Meetings of the World Bank Group and the International Monetary Fund in Peru, where key issues such as economic development and the global economy will be discussed.

On Oct. 7, 2015, Polak will profile B.C.’s revenue neutral carbon tax – North America’s first, and still, most comprehensive carbon tax – in an energy pricing panel discussion moderated by Martin Wolf, the chief economics commentator for the Financial Times. Panellists will discuss the recent proliferation of successful carbon pricing mechanisms, such as B.C.’s revenue neutral carbon tax, and will take questions from the audience.

While in Peru, Polak will also meet with officials from a number of nations and organizations, sharing B.C.’s climate-action successes and next steps, including the development of the Climate Leadership Plan.

Earlier this year, the International Monetary Fund invited Premier Christy Clark to speak at the 2015 spring meetings in Washington, D.C. This was the first time a Canadian premier was invited to speak at the forum.

Quote:

Mary Polak, Minister of Environment –

“There is increasing global recognition that carbon pricing is necessary to reduce GHG emissions, and B.C.’s carbon tax is a successful model to follow. I am excited to meet with financial leaders on this international stage and to encourage others to meet or beat our revenue-neutral carbon tax.”

Quick Facts:

• 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.
• B.C. remains the only carbon neutral province, territory or state on the continent.

Learn More:

For more information on the 2015 annual meetings, visit:
https://www.2015lima.gob.pe/en/ (Peruvian Government)
www.imf.org/external/AM/2015 (International Monetary Fund)

The Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2015, panel event with Polak will be webcast at approximately 12 p.m. (Pacific time) live on: www.imf.org

Questions will be taken from the audience/Twitter using the hashtag: #Voices4Climate

British Columbians are encouraged to participate in the next phase of climate action in the province by commenting on the draft Climate Leadership Plan, to be released in December. Learn more about the development of the Climate Leadership Plan at: www.engage.gov.bc.ca/climateleadership