The PPCA draws strength and influence from the fact that it is a government-led organization, backed principally by Canada and the United Kingdom as the co-leading governments of the PPCA.
The PPCA Secretariat provides dedicated capacity to support PPCA members and partners. The Secretariat works closely with government officials from Canada and the UK in support of the Ministerial Co-Chairs.
The Honourable Steven Guilbeault was first elected as the Member of Parliament for Laurier—Sainte-Marie in 2019. He has previously served as Minister of Canadian Heritage. Minister Guilbeault is a prominent advocate in the fight against the climate crisis, and has been leading the charge from Laurier—Sainte-Marie for years. Minister Guilbeault’s commitment to environmental issues started at the age of five, when he climbed a tree to protect it from real estate developers who were about to cut down the woods behind his home in La Tuque. Twenty-five years later, he scaled the CN Tower in Toronto to call for Canada
The Honourable Steven Guilbeault was first elected as the Member of Parliament for Laurier—Sainte-Marie in 2019. He has previously served as Minister of Canadian Heritage. Minister Guilbeault is a prominent advocate in the fight against the climate crisis, and has been leading the charge from Laurier—Sainte-Marie for years. Minister Guilbeault’s commitment to environmental issues started at the age of five, when he climbed a tree to protect it from real estate developers who were about to cut down the woods behind his home in La Tuque. Twenty-five years later, he scaled the CN Tower in Toronto to call for Canada to ratify the Kyoto Protocol. In 1993, Minister Guilbeault co-founded Équiterre, the largest environmental organization in Quebec, and served as its Senior Director from 2008 to 2018. He also worked as a Director and Campaign Manager for Greenpeace, and was a Strategic Advisor for more than 10 years at Cycle Capital Management, a Canadian fund dedicated to the development of clean technologies. Minister Guilbeault also worked for Deloitte & Touche as well as Copticom, a consulting firm specializing in the green and social economy, and transportation. As an activist and strategic advisor for dozens of governments and businesses in Canada and abroad, Minister Guilbeault is a pragmatist who works to make a difference by building bridges and relationships. An avid cyclist and sportsman, he has been riding his bike 12 months a year for the last 30 years. Minister Guilbeault is a father of four and stepfather of two.
Kerry McCarthy was appointed Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero on 9 July 2024. She was elected as the Labour MP for Bristol East in May 2005. Kerry held several posts in opposition, notably Shadow Minister for Climate Change and Net Zero (2022 to 2024), Shadow Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (2015 to 2016), and Shadow Minister for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (2011 to 2015). Kerry qualified as a solicitor in 1994 and worked as a lawyer before becoming involved in politics. She also served on Luton Borough
Kerry McCarthy was appointed Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero on 9 July 2024. She was elected as the Labour MP for Bristol East in May 2005. Kerry held several posts in opposition, notably Shadow Minister for Climate Change and Net Zero (2022 to 2024), Shadow Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (2015 to 2016), and Shadow Minister for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (2011 to 2015). Kerry qualified as a solicitor in 1994 and worked as a lawyer before becoming involved in politics. She also served on Luton Borough Council between 1995 and 2003.
In November 2016, Canada announced an accelerated phase-out of coal-fired electricity by 2030, and the U.K. announced their commitment to phase-out coal by 2025.
On September 18, 2017, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Prime Minister Theresa May announced a new partnership on clean growth and climate change.
This new partnership reaffirmed the close relationship the two countries share when it comes to tackling the world’s most pressing issues.
Both Canada and the U.K. are committed to creating a cleaner, more innovative economy that reduces emissions and protects our environment, while creating well-paying jobs for their citizens.
The need to phase out emissions from coal power globally has never been greater. This measure alone can play a critical role in helping to keep temperatures from rising above 1.5ºC, reducing air pollution and smog, improving health and helping the world avoid the most severe impacts of climate change. Canada is proud to co-lead the Powering Past Coal Alliance with the United Kingdom. This Alliance is a global driver of momentum on climate action to create a cleaner, healthier future for our children and grandchildren.
Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change (Canada)
The PPCA Declaration was launched on 16 November 2017, at COP23 in Bonn. It sets out our collective commitment to accelerate the transition from coal to clean energy. We commit to achieve that phase-out in a sustainable and economically inclusive way, including appropriate support for workers and communities. We will also encourage our peers to join us in the Powering Past Coal Alliance to build a better world for our kids and grandkids.
