Trudeau says climate progress made at G20 — but Canada wanted more ambitious plan

Toronto: Canada wanted a stronger and more ambitious agreement on climate change to emerge from the G20 summit — but leaders still managed to make progress by committing to address some key issues, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Sunday.

Canada will join over 190 countries in Glasgow for UN Climate Change Conference (COP26). The conference runs from October 31 to November 12, 2021, in Glasgow, United Kingdom (UK).

Prime Minister Trudeau is leading Canada’s delegation for the World Leaders Summit on November 1–2. Minister Guilbeault of Environment and Climate Change Canada will lead the delegation for the Ministerial segment of COP26 and will be on the ground in Glasgow from November 1 to 12, 2021.

COP26 is the highest profile United Nations climate change conference since 2015, when the Paris Agreement was reached. This year, the world must demonstrate and build trust around how it will collectively deliver on the promises outlined in the Paris Agreement. The Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Boris Johnson, who is hosting COP26, noted at pre-COP that despite the severity of the climate crisis, rapid change is still possible, and that COP26 can and should mark the beginning of the end of climate change. Canada is committed to doing its part to deliver the ambitious climate action that the world wants, and needs. Canada also hopes to build trust, raise global ambition, and advocate for concrete action by all.

Canada has taken steps to ensure diverse perspectives are reflected in international forums. Canada’s delegation for COP26 will include representatives of federal opposition parties, representatives of provinces and territories, including Ministers of the Environment and Premiers, as well as National Indigenous Organizations and Representatives (NIORs). The delegation will also include youth, civil society, business, labour, and Canadian municipalities. The Canadian delegation will be posted on the UNFCCC’s website in the near term.

“We have reached a global crisis point when it comes to our climate and our planet’s biodiversity. Devastating heat waves, floods, and forest fires are on the rise, and Canada is warming at twice the global average. We are heading to Glasgow with a strong plan for the future backed by solid action already under way at home. Importantly, we are also headed there with an understanding that more action must be taken, backed by both the will and the mandate from Canadians to get the job done.” Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change