The Victorian Government has teamed up with a Canadian counterpart to tackle climate change following the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen.

Energy and Resources Minister Peter Batchelor announced that the Victorian Government had become an official partner with the Canadian State of Saskatchewan and pledged to work together on climate change research and development.

The two parties have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to formally mark the occasion and the combined effort to tackle climate change into the future.

“Forging partnerships with international counterparts demonstrates Victoria’s commitment to lead on climate change policy,” Mr Batchelor said.

“Victoria and Saskatchewan will research and develop low carbon technologies, renewable energy sources and alternative technologies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and enhance climate change planning.

“This current climate change debate provides Victoria and other states around the world with a unique opportunity to pool resources and share capabilities.”

Mr Batchelor said he was very pleased to sign this agreement together with the Saskatchewan Minister for Environment Nancy Heppner in Copenhagen to jointly pursue emerging climate change research and development.

“Both states are well placed to work in collaboration on priority areas set out in the Memorandum,” he said.

“These collaborative efforts will substantially contribute to both states reducing greenhouse gas emissions from the production and use of energy.

“Priority areas identified include research and development on carbon capture and storage and clean coal technologies.

“Other research focus areas will be renewable energy systems, such as wind, solar, storage and biomass and alternative energy technologies.

“This formal partnership means that both states are now even better placed to take advantage of commercial opportunities to advance environmental management and sustainable development.

“Our combined actions will promote innovation and clean tech jobs as well as help us develop low cost climate change solutions for our economies.”