Canada at the 21st Conference of the Parties

Backgrounder

In the national statement he delivered on November 30, 2015, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau outlined the five principles upon which Canada’s actions on climate change would be based. Canada delivered concrete actions on each of these principles at the 21st Conference of the Parties (COP21).

Canada will act based on the best scientific evidence and advice

Throughout the negotiations, Canada actively supported including in the agreement the need to limit average global temperature rise to well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, as well as pursuing efforts to limit increase to 1.5 degrees. Canada has advocated for this recognition of the urgency of the threat to small-island states, like the Marshall Islands with whom we now stand as part of the High Ambition Coalition.

Canada will support and implement policies that contribute to a low-carbon economy

Canada joined the Carbon Pricing Leadership Coalition (CPLC), which brings together leaders from government, business, and civil society to support the introduction and implementation of carbon pricing practices around the world. Canada also endorsed the Fossil Fuel Subsidy Reform Communiqué, in support of accelerating action to eliminate inefficient fossil-fuel subsidies.

Canada will work with our provinces, territories, cities and Indigenous leaders

Canada has emphasized a collaborative and inclusive approach, setting out with a Canadian delegation of dedicated federal, provincial and territorial representatives including Premiers and Ministers of the Environment, leaders and members of opposition parties, Indigenous leaders, representatives from youth organizations, environmental NGOs, and members of the business community. And throughout the negotiations, Canada consistently advocated for the inclusion in the Paris Agreement of language that reflects the importance of respecting the rights of Indigenous Peoples.

Canada will help the developing world tackle the challenges of climate change

Canada pledged $2.65 billion over the next five years to support developing countries’ transition to low-carbon economies that are both greener and more climate-resilient. This is the most significant Canadian climate finance contribution ever. During COP 21, Canada announced financial support totalling $275 million for the Least Developed Countries Fund, the Climate Risk and Early Warning Systems, the G7 Initiative on Climate Risk Insurance, the G7 African Renewable Energy Initiative, and to address short-lived climate pollutants. Canada continues to support countries in need and recognizes the specific circumstances of the least developed countries and small islands developing states.

Canada views climate change not just as a challenge, but as an historic opportunity to build a sustainable economy

Prime Minister Trudeau joined French President François Hollande, U.S. President Barack Obama and Bill Gates to announce the launch of Mission Innovation, an ambitious clean technology initiative that seeks to double government investment over the next five years in clean energy research and development, and to spur business investment in clean technology.

Hon. Catherine McKenna Environment and Climate Change Canada Nature and Environment