05 September 2019 

The South African Minister of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries Ms Barbara Creecy and the Canadian Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Catherine McKenna have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), which develops a framework for the countries to cooperate on environmental protection and climate change issues of mutual interest.

Through the MoU, South Africa and Canada have committed to work together in the following areas: fighting climate change, increasing environmental compliance and enforcement, improving chemicals and waste management, protecting biodiversity, enhancing conservation, and combating marine litter and plastics pollution.

In terms of the agreement, the countries will hold annual bilateral consultations to report on the status of their cooperation. Their sharing of expertise and lessons learned will be beneficial to the development and commercialisation of emerging technologies that support clean economic growth and a just transition to a low carbon economy.

"Canada and South Africa are great partners in climate action. Our mutual support provides opportunities for reducing poverty and empowering women and girls, and recognizes the role of Indigenous Peoples in fighting climate change. Together, we can create good jobs and help protect our planet for future generations," said Minister McKenna.

In response, Minister Creecy highlighted that the MoU strengthens the relationship and cooperation between the countries on matters of mutual interest. “Our relationship with the Canadian government is solid. We cooperate on various matters, including wildfire management, thereby signifying the importance of the heightened cooperation and resource sharing agreements as tools to help us protect our natural resources,” said Minister Creecy.

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