In a matter of weeks, Canada will host an extremely important meeting of G7 energy and environment ministers in Toronto on October 30-31. Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand will host the meeting. It’ll assemble an impressive array of international peers to address urgent challenges such as the threat of widespread wildfires and how artificial intelligence will shape environmental policy.
The agenda for the first meeting, which is so remarkably wide-ranging and ambitious in scope, is testimony to the gravity of today’s global challenges. Environment Minister Julie Dabrusin will spearhead discussions on preparing for and responding to extreme weather events, which have become increasingly frequent in recent years. She will address urgent issues including better coordination across our freshwater ecosystems and protection of our oceans. She’ll focus on the critical imperative for sustainable management of these precious resources.
Dabrusin takes a smart approach to building a circular economy, prioritizing both immediate and emerging sectors. This ‘circular economy’ approach seeks to reduce waste and keep resources in use for as long as possible, supporting global goals for sustainability and resource efficiency.
Energy Minister Tim Hodgson is looking forward to joining his counterparts to address challenges related to energy security and affordability. The ministers will explore ways to build resilient supply chains for essential goods, particularly critical minerals that are crucial for various industries. Additionally, they’ll share how emerging technologies will improve energy systems and fix environmental challenges.
Today’s meeting follows the momentum established by March’s G7 ministerial meeting. That first convening laid the foundation for continued partnership and efforts to work together on these critical issues. In addition to the main sessions, the G7 ministers will participate in a separate Ministerial on Climate Action, an annual event that involves colleagues from around the globe. For the first time this year, China will be represented at the Ministerial. This inclusion presents an important opportunity to foster active multinational dialogue on climate policies.
