Canada commits $2.65 billion to climate fund to help developing countries

United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has made an appeal for action on climate change days ahead of the Paris Climate Conference.

In London on Wednesday, Trudeau said last week’s deadly gun-and-bomb attacks in Paris, claimed by the Islamic State group, had changed “the perception that Canadians had”.

The money raised for the Green Climate Fund will be spent on projects that help developing nations in regions like sub-Saharan Africa adapt to the impacts of climate change, as well as put in place their own greenhouse gas mitigation plans.

Trudeau visited the Canadian Museum of Nature in Ottawa this week for his first meeting with the country’s 13 provincial and territorial leaders, using the conference to “speak the truth”, Alberta Premier Rachel Notley later said, about Canada’s role in global environmental policy.

“I have said from the beginning that we will have a shifted approach from the current bombing mission”.

“I’m here today not just to say Canada’s back, but to show it”, Liberal Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told the 53 leaders before making the announcement that Canada will kick in 2.65 billion dollars over the next five years.

The funding will help support the transition to low-carbon economies and will target the poorest and most vulnerable countries. “Her Majesty remains an integral part of our country’s history, progress, and future, and her years of leadership have been key to the Commonwealth’s success”.

“The timing of the Commonwealth heads of government meeting is very propitious for us to talk exactly about how important it is to address urgent issues around climate change…to make sure that it is a global effort”, he said.

Justin Trudeau wrapped up his trip to the Commonwealth heads-of-government meeting in Malta on Saturday.

The summits are only held every two years and the next two are scheduled to be far from Europe.

“On that cool day in April, seated next to you, was my father”, said Trudeau, 43.

“In 1947, you famously vowed that your whole life would be devoted to the service of the Commonwealth”.