LISBON, Portugal - B.C. Premier Gordon Campbell joined politicians from around the world in signing a partnership agreement that would create a global carbon market for trading the environmental damaging emissions.
Campbell was Canada's only representative and signatory at the ceremony Monday, but he said he doesn't see his attendance at the Lisbon conference as overshadowing the federal government's actions on climate change.
"I don't expect this is a surprise to the prime minister,'' Campbell told reporters on a telephone conference call.
"I think in fact he probably knows that I'll be seeing him (Tuesday) and we'll get a chance to talk about it.''
On behalf of the province, Campbell has joined several European countries, New Zealand, Norway and three U.S. states in signing the International Carbon Action Partnership, or ICAP, which sets up a global carbon trading protocol.
The premier was invited to the conference by the Prime Minister of Portugal.
Campbell said he hopes other Canadian provinces, especially Ontario and Quebec will also sign onto the trading market.
"It is not either a provincial or a national problem, it's an international challenge and I think we'll find the other provinces will join us.''
The premier believes the new program will dovetail with B.C. and Manitoba's participation in the Western Climate Initiative, setting caps and trading goals for carbon emissions among several U.S. states and the two Canadian provinces.
He said the Western Climate Initiative linked with ICAP and other European and U.S. carbon trading systems can create a long-term, consistent and stable carbon market place.
"It's a critical component to us reducing carbon emissions and greenhouse gases globally,'' Campbell said Monday.
Linda Adams, California's secretary for environmental protection, told reporters it's important that any North American carbon market place be compatible with world carbon markets.
"We are facing a global problem and it requires a global solution.''
The states of California, New York and New Jersey also joined ICAP.
European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso said the partnership is an historic step towards the development of a market that will transition to a low-carbon world economy.
He said it's also an important signal to other countries just one month before the UN climate change conference in Bali.
"Developed countries have a special responsibility to take the lead in cutting emissions and pushing a comprehensive, global agreement on future climate action,'' Barroso said in a statement.
