ENVIRONMENT MINISTER TO REPRESENT SASKATCHEWAN AT UN CLIMATE CHANGE MEETING

Environment Minister Nancy Heppner heads to Copenhagen, Denmark tomorrow to represent Saskatchewan's interests at international climate change negotiations during the United Nations Conference of the Parties (COP15).

"The Saskatchewan government is committed to taking action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to meet our national and international obligations," Heppner said. "It is vital to our economy that Saskatchewan's plan be aligned with a prospective international climate change agreement. Saskatchewan introduced legislation on December 1 that provides the flexibility to accommodate any adjustments in Canada's policy framework, American legislation and international policies that emerge from this conference."

Leading up to the Copenhagen conference, Saskatchewan finalized preparations to sign an agreement with the State of Victoria, Australia to promote research and development on emission-reducing technologies. A formal signing event will take place in Copenhagen on December 16, 2009.

Heppner will also attend meetings with federal Minister of Environment Jim Prentice and with the International Institute for Sustainable Development.

COP15 is being held under the auspices of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the lead international agency for climate change decision-making.

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For more information, contact:

Jennifer Redston
Environment
Regina
Phone: 306-787-5796
Email: jennifer.redston@gov.sk.ca