Briefs from the Paris climate conference

On Monday at the climate conference proper, Trudeau has scheduled bilateral meetings with King Abdullah of Jordan and Lebanon’s Prime Minister Tammam Salam, where the issue of Canada’s resettlement of Syrian refugees from Jordanian and Lebanese camps will dominate.

“The fact that we have achieved convergence and near unanimity on a very focused statement on climate change puts the possibility of a success at COP21 in better shape”, Maltese Prime Minister Joseph Muscat, the Commonwealth summit host, said at the close of a three-day gathering on the Mediterranean island.

“This time around, I’m looking forward to being on the delegation and I’m hopeful that we will get a treaty that really works and that when we come back from Paris that we will see headlines around the world that Canada was a leader. Mission Innovation will tap into the vast economic opportunities of our environment by helping to create the growth and jobs Canadians need”.

At a joint press conference, Trudeau said he and Hollande discussed a “broad range” of topics, including free trade, climate change and the fight against the Islamic State.

“In this spirit, we have launched the Commonwealth Climate Finance Access Hub, the Commonwealth Green Finance Facility initiative, and the pioneering global Commonwealth Youth Climate Change Network”, he recounted.

“It’s such a weird feeling to be in agreement with my government again on things related to climate change”, said Guilbeault, who has been attending global climate conferences for two decades.

Canada under Stephen Harper and Australia under former prime minister Tony Abbott were both criticized for being climate change policy laggards but Trudeau suggested the two countries have changed their tune.

Earlier today, Canada made a $30-million contribution towards a $250-million fund to help the world’s poorest countries adapt to immediate climate threats.

He said terrorism was affecting everyone and the Commonwealth has a vital role to play in broadening global efforts to counter extremism.

Well-known Canadian environmentalist, scientist and broadcaster David Suzuki, who joined thousands in Ottawa on Sunday for a march in support of government action on climate change, credited Trudeau for quickly initiating “a massive reversal” in the Canadian government’s approach to the issue.

“I’m not choosing between the fight against terror and the fight against global climate change”, he said during his opening address. Canada’s pledge is part of a larger $2.65-billion, five-year commitment to help developing countries transition to a low-carbon economy. It set targets of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 37% below 1990 levels by 2030 – and by 80% below 1990 levels by 2050.