David Heurtel

COP20: David Heurtel, Québec

COP20 (10/12/14) – David Heurtel discusses Québec’s carbon market, which in 2014 linked up with California’s ETS creating the largest carbon market in North America. He talks about the encouraging response from business and how the money raised will be used to combat climate change. He then speaks about the increasingly important role that sub-national governments are playing in the negotiations, but also emphasises the level of action already being taken by many regions to tackle climate change.

He moves on to discuss the history of Québec’s work on climate, exploring the reasons why Québec has taken such a leading role. He highlights the ability of regional government to effectively push for greater national ambition and the importance of civil society pressure in driving progress at all levels.