Clean Energy Canada | Biden win an opportunity for Canada to build clean energy ambitions
November 7, 2020

VANCOUVER — Merran Smith, executive director at Clean Energy Canada, made the following statement in response to the outcome of the 2020 U.S. federal election: 

“President-elect Joe Biden’s election victory is good news for climate action. After observing several years of climate denial and policy rollbacks, we welcome this new administration and its plans to build a more sustainable economy.

“When the new government begins its term, we hope it looks beyond our shared border and works with Canada to build a clean, competitive North American economy. 

“As the U.S. leadership shifts to one with heightened climate ambition, Canada must continue accelerating its own climate efforts to hold onto or improve its position in the global clean energy race. 

“The president-elect’s proposed climate and jobs plan joins commitments from around the world from countries like Germany, South Korea and the United Kingdom, which have all poured billions into a cleaner global recovery. 

“Canada’s federal government said during the recent Throne Speech that climate action would be a ‘cornerstone’ of its economic recovery. Canada must now follow through on these commitments in order to capitalize on shifting global markets while creating opportunities for Canadian exports, from renewable power to sustainable metals and minerals to clean technology.

“In the meantime, we look forward to welcoming the United States of America back into the Paris Agreement in January.”

KEY FACTS

  • President-elect Joe Biden has promised to spend US$2 trillion over four years creating a cleaner economy while ensuring the U.S. reaches net-zero emissions by 2050.
  • Compared to funding for fossil fuels, clean stimulus creates nearly three times as many jobs for every dollar invested by governments, according to McKinsey.
  • Clean recovery plans boost incomes, employment numbers and GDP better than return-to-normal stimulus measures, according to a recent study by We Mean Business.