25 May 2015: The Governments of Canada, Mexico and the US have announced the creation of the North American Energy Ministers’ Working Group on Climate Change and Energy. The partnership aims to harmonize efforts and policies toward common climate goals while protecting jobs and the economy. The joint announcement was made by Greg Rickford, Canada’s Minister of Natural Resources, Ernest J. Moniz, US Secretary of Energy, and Pedro Joaquín-Coldwell, Mexico Secretary of Energy.

The partnership, which was announced in Merida, Mexico, on 25 May 2015, on the sidelines of the sixth Clean Energy Ministerial (CEM 6), will prioritize the following issues: reliable, resilient and low-carbon electricity grids; the modeling and deployment of clean energy technologies, including renewables; energy efficiency for equipment, appliances, industries and buildings, including energy management systems; carbon capture, use and storage; climate change adaptation and resilience; and the reduction of emissions from the oil and gas sector, including methane and black carbon.

In December 2014, the three ministers signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) formalizing greater cooperation and integration to achieve North American energy security. The announcement builds on this MOU and collaboration, which has progressed in the following areas: the development of public energy data in the region, and continental mapping of commodities and infrastructure; responsible and sustainable best practices for developing unconventional oil and natural gas; and modern, resilient energy infrastructure, including physical as well as institutional infrastructure, such as policies, regulations, innovation and sustainable technologies. Thus far, Canada and the US have already harmonized environmental standards ranging from vehicle emissions to home energy efficiency. [Canadian Government Press Release][IISD RS coverage of CEM 6]