Report

Delegation Members and Staff

On 4, 15 and 25 June 2021, Marc Serré, MP, Chair of the Canadian Section of ParlAmericas, led a delegation to the 5^th Gathering of ParlAmericas’ Parliamentary Network on Climate Change (PNCC), which was held virtually. The other delegates were Senator Rosa Galvez, Vice-Chair of the Canadian Section, Senator René Cormier and Simon-Pierre Savard-Tremblay, MP, both of whom are Canadian Section Counsellors, and Ziad Aboultaif, MP.

The delegation was supported by Julie Pelletier, Association Secretary, as well as Brittany Collier and Robert Mason, Interim Canadian Section Advisors.

Activities during the
5^th gathering of the Parliamentary network on climate change

The theme of the 5^th Gathering of the PNCC was “Addressing Inequalities to Enable Climate Ambition: A Just Transition to Achieve the Paris Agreement.” It was co-hosted by the Parliament of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago and the Senate of Mexico.

Parliamentarians from the host countries opened the meeting by providing welcoming remarks. Trinidadian House of Representatives Speaker Bridgid Annisette-George discussed work underway in Trinidad and Tobago to respond to, and the importance of considering the social impacts of, climate change. Mexican Senator Nancy de la Sierra described actions that have been taken in Mexico to protect the environment and the significance of parliamentary dialogue on these issues given both the upcoming Conference of the Parties (COP) 26 Conference and the global impacts of climate change.

Panel Discussion on Promoting Inclusive Climate Action: June 4, 2021

Senator Galvez moderated a panel that had, as presenters, Enrico Botta from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, Samantha Smith from the Just Transition Centre, Claudia de Windt from the Inter-American Institute on Justice and Sustainability, and Eduardo Uribe-Botero from the Energy Group of Bogota. Senator Galvez asked each presenter questions about themes such as ensuring that: climate policies can respond to the needs of employees and unions; and more women can transition to “greener” jobs.

Enrico Botta highlighted that inclusive environmental policies consider the perspectives and needs of households, employees and regions.  Samantha Smith suggested that legislators could enact statutes that would require the creation of tri-partite bodies – involving government, unions and employers – at the national or regional level that would negotiate and make decisions relating to a just transition. Claudia de Windt explained the relationship between climate change and resource conflicts in Latin America and the Caribbean, and proposed ways to make a just transition fairer and more equitable for all. According to Eduardo Uribe-Botero, a just transition should consider the impacts on diverse regions and communities of transitioning away from greenhouse gas–intensive activities.

Following the presentations, parliamentarians posed questions and noted the impacts of climate change in their countries. Senator Cormier asked about the role of legislators in ensuring that the public can contribute to reducing climate change–related inequalities. In response, Enrico Botta noted the importance of involving all stakeholders, including employers and the public, in a just transition through targeted outreach and engagement initiatives.

Dialogue with Civil Society and Youth Representatives: June 15, 2021

During welcoming remarks at a session focused on including and empowering youth in the context of climate action, Trinidadian Senator Yokymma Bethelmy emphasized that inclusive climate action requires both reducing the effects of climate change on the most vulnerable – including children – and ensuring that the benefits and costs of climate action are equitably distributed. Mexican Senator Beatriz Paredes discussed the need to include youth in decision making to help ensure that economic policies are consistent with a healthy relationship with nature.

Carlos Ruiz-Garvia and Vintura Silva, Regional Leads of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change’s Regional Collaboration Centre for Latin America and for the Caribbean, respectively, made presentations. Carlos Ruiz-Garvia commented on the international framework for youth inclusion in climate action, noting that both the Paris Agreement and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change incorporate the goal of empowering all members of society to engage in climate action, including through promoting and facilitating education and training relating to climate change and its effects. Carlos Ruiz-Garvia explained that such initiatives are referred to as action for climate empowerment (ACE) programs. In outlining the evolution of ACE programs, Carlos Ruiz-Garvia highlighted the opportunity to advance ACE programs at the upcoming COP 26 Conference. Vintura Silva discussed the imperative of a just transition and made particular mention of the Caribbean Academy for Global Youth Leadership Empowerment, an ACE program developed to support climate leadership, knowledge sharing and “green business” incubation.

Costa Rican Deputy Paola Vega Rodriguez moderated discussions among parliamentarians and civil society and youth representatives on the topics of inclusive climate action and ACE programs. Mr. Serré urged youth both to take an active role in climate advocacy and to ensure that their perspectives are heard, including by not being afraid to engage with legislators.

In providing concluding remarks for the session, Mr. Serré discussed the importance of integrating civil society and youth organizations in climate discussions and decision making, noting that they suggest solutions, hold governments accountable and help to mobilize action.

Plenary Session and Elections: June 25, 2021

The plenary session was opened by: Mexican Senator Nancy de la Sierra; Representative Annisette-George, Vice-President of ParlAmericas; and Paraguayan Senator Blanca Ovelar, President of ParlAmericas. Their opening remarks reflected their views on the meeting’s main themes.

Ambassador Luis Alfonso de Alba, Special Envoy of the United Nations Secretary General for the 2019 Climate Summit, provided a keynote address that both emphasized the urgency of taking action to address climate change and underscored the connection between climate change and poverty. Ambassador de Alba highlighted the insufficiency of the climate ambitions that were set before the COVID-19 pandemic and the need for bolder actions.  Moreover, Ambassador de Alba discussed the increased participation of civil society organizations, academics and legislators in climate change issues, as well as the importance of – and the need to focus on – nationally determined contributions to address climate change.

Belizean Senate President Carolyn Trench-Sandiford moderated a discussion focused on identifying the meeting’s main themes and key conclusions. In summarizing the 4 June 2021 session, Senator Galvez mentioned that legislators should consider local and regional perspectives when developing legislation and overseeing policies relating to a just transition. Concerning the 15 June 2021 dialogue between parliamentarians and civil society and youth representatives, Deputy Vega Rodriguez highlighted the need to continue providing youth with opportunities to engage with legislators, and the importance of an intersectional approach for ensuring that climate policies and actions are inclusive.

Senator Trench-Sandiford then moderated a discussion with Brazilian Senator Kátia Abreu and Chilean Deputy Iván Flores, as well as Rafael Jimenez Aybar from the Westminster Foundation for Democracy. Their focus was legislative experiences in promoting inclusive climate action to implement the Paris Agreement. Senator Abreu outlined Brazil’s efforts to achieve the objectives of the Paris Agreement and the work underway to prepare for the upcoming COP 26 Conference, while Deputy Flores underlined the impacts of climate change in Chile and the steps that have been – or are being – taken to respond to climate change in that country. In commenting on the findings presented in a draft report co-authored by the Westminster Foundation for Democracy and ParlAmericas entitled Parliaments and the Paris Agreement, Rafael Jimenez Aybar explained that greater coordination of legislative efforts is needed to align “climate work” with implementation of Paris Agreement commitments. Rafael Jimenez Aybar also identified a number of opportunities for legislatures to affect climate action.

Following that discussion, parliamentarians had an opportunity to pose questions. Senator Cormier noted the connection between the cultural and geographical diversity within different countries on one hand and climate change responses on the other hand, and asked about the ways in which governments can support the cultural sector to achieve climate objectives.

Elections were held for positions on the PNCC’s Executive Committee. The following parliamentarians were elected: Senator Galvez as President of the PNCC; Mexican Senator Raúl Bolaños-Cacho Cué as Vice-President - North America; Deputy Vega Rodríguez as Vice-President - Central America; Ecuadorian Assembly Member Luis Bruno Segovia Mejía as Vice-President - South America; Surinamer Member of Parliament Radjendrekoemar Debie as Vice-President - South America; and Trinidadian Senator Anthony Vieira as Vice-President - The Caribbean.

The plenary session concluded with consideration of the declaration for the 5^th Gathering of the PNCC and closing remarks by Senator Galvez in her capacity as newly elected PNCC President. Senator Galvez discussed the manner in which decisions about climate change are important for the wellbeing of future generations, and highlighted the Canadian Net-Zero Emissions Accountability Act that will build on Canada’s new target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by between 40% and 45% below 2005 levels by 2030 through obligations to plan and report.

Respectfully Submitted,


Marc G. Serré, MP
Chair, Canadian Section of ParlAmericas