As part of an ongoing joint project, the International Institute for Sustainable Development and the Pembina Institute will host an official side event on December 16, 2009, entitled Clean Energy and Climate Change Action in North America: A Coordinated Approach.

The event will be chaired by David Runnalls, president and CEO of IISD, and Clare Demerse, associate director, Climate Change at the Pembina Institute. The panel features high level North American government leaders, including:

• Jean Charest, Premier of Quebec
• Greg Selinger, Premier of Manitoba
• Nancy Skinner, California Assemblymember
• Shalini Vajjhala, Deputy Assistant Administrator, Office of International Affairs, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
• Gabriel Quadri, Senior Environment Advisor to Mayor Ebrard of Mexico City

The panel members will provide their perspective on how a coordinated, collaborative North American approach to climate change and clean energy can assist Canada, Mexico and the United States in achieving deep emission reductions and meeting the goals of the UN climate convention. Each panel member is invited to give their remarks for 10 minutes, followed by 30-35 minutes of discussion.

For more information, please contact IISD media and communication officer Nona Pelletier
Cell: +1-(204)-962-1303.