Canada and the European Union (EU) have announced plans to deepen their cooperation on transitioning to carbon-free energy. This was outlined in a joint communiqué by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen following their meeting in Brussels. The two sides emphasized their commitment to enhancing energy security and reducing Europe’s reliance on Russian energy resources, a move motivated by Vladimir Putin’s ongoing war against Ukraine.

To achieve these goals, Canada and the EU are working on forming a specialized group focused on liquefied natural gas (LNG) and green energy initiatives. This collaboration aims to accelerate the transition to renewable energy sources while addressing immediate energy security challenges. Additionally, Canada will host the Clean Technology Summit this year, which seeks to promote sustainable economic practices and foster innovation in clean energy technologies.

Despite having vast oil reserves, Canada faces infrastructure challenges that prevent it from significantly exporting energy resources overseas. However, the country remains committed to supporting Europe’s energy transition and reducing dependency on Russian energy.

The President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, has also called for urgent action to minimize Europe’s reliance on Russian energy, highlighting that such dependence indirectly finances Russia’s aggression against Ukraine. Both Canada and the EU are united in their stance to counter this threat by advancing green energy initiatives and fostering international collaboration.