An International Climate Forum

Multi-national cooperation with respect to climate change and clean energy is an idea that was recently embraced by Canada and the United States when both countries began the Clean Energy Dialogue.

The idea of an international collaborative approach to climate change is one that is supported not only by the President, the Prime Minister and Canada's Environment Minister, but as the writer blogged last week, the U.S. Energy Secretary, Steven Chu, as well.

President Obama has taken the idea of international cooperation one step further.

On March 28, the President announced the Major Economies Forum on Energy and Climate, with the group's first meeting set in Washington in April, followed by a summit in Italy in July. The leaders of 16 nations, as well as the Secretary-General of the UN have been invited to attend.

The White House commented that the purpose of the forum was to "help generate the political leadership necessary to achieve a successful outcome" at climate change negotiations in Copenhagen in December as well as establish "concrete initiatives and joint ventures that increase the supply of clean energy while cutting greenhouse gas emissions."

Participating nations include: Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Denmark, the European Union, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Korea, Mexico, Russia, South Africa, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

Canada's participation in the Clean Energy Dialogue and its inclusion in the Forum positions Canada as a leader in the area of international cooperation on climate change. We will be watching for further news of the Forum and for Canadian leaders' comments this week.