Government announces $2.65B to help developing countries fight climate change

Canada today promised $2.65 billion over the next five years to helpdeveloping countries fight climate change.

The funding was announcedon Friday in Malta, whereCommonwealth leaders are meeting.

"I'm here today not just to say Canada's back, but to show it," Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told the leaders before making the announcement.

• Trudeau toasts Queen in debut Commonwealth summit
• Commonwealth leaders meeting a 'training camp' for Paris
• Trudeau promises 'Canadian approach' to climate change

Under the previous climate deal signed in 2009 in Copenhagen, nationshad agreed to commit $100 billion annually in fast-track financing by2020.

The formerConservativegovernment gave$1.2 billionto the fund.

The Liberals have now doubled that amount for the next five years:

• $300 million in 2016-17.
• $400 million in 2017-18.
• $500 million in 2018-19.
• $650 million in 2019-20.
• $800 million in 2020-21.

The funding will go towardreducingemissions by financingclean power generation, for example.

The contribution announced Friday means Canada has now exceeded the $4billion target that environmental groups have been urging it to meetas its "fair share," based on the country's national wealth.

The United Nations Children's Fund said the contribution helpsestablish Canada as a global leader in helping vulnerable childrenin poor countries affected by climate change.

"We know that children, particularly the poorest, aredisproportionately vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, a
fundamental threat to their most basic rights, including access tofood, water, education and survival," David Morley, UNICEF Canada'spresident, said in a statement.

'Needs are there'

"The needs are there, the projects are there," said Foreign Affairs MinisterStphaneDionat thenews conference in Malta."We will not have ashortage of projects to mitigate and to adapt.

"Unfortunatelywe are ina world where climate change is affecting other countries."

"It's not an equalization payment . . . It's not a transfer.It's for projects that will help," he said.

Trudeau has said he is hoping to use Canada's leadership onclimate change to get other nations from theCommonwealth on board.

Many of these same world leaders will soon make their way to Paris fornegotiations on the next international agreement to take effect after 2020.

Five premiers will attend the Paris talks with Trudeau: Quebec's Philippe Couillard, Ontario's Kathleen Wynne, Saskatchewan's Brad Wall, Alberta's Rachel Notleyand British Columbia's Christy Clark.

French PresidentFranois Hollandealso attended the Commonwealth leadersmeeting as aspecial guest to speakabout climate changeahead of the Paris talks, which starts Nov. 30.

Dion said attitudes towards climate change have shifted since he hosted climate talks in Montreal in 2005, when he was environment minister.

"Ten years after, I feel that the countries feel the effect of climate change," he said. "In 2005 they were anticipating it. Now it's a reality."

Stphane Dion on difference between COP11 and COP21

9 years ago

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Foreign Affairs Minister Stphane Dion discusses how the Paris climate talks will be different from past meetings.

NDP wants strongertargets

NDP Leader Tom Mulcair welcomes the government's increased financial commitment to fight climate change, but says that is only one of many steps that need to be taken.

Speaking to reporters in Ottawa Friday morning, Mulcair also congratulated the new government for including the provinces in discussions about reducing greenhouse gas emissions, but said ultimately the targets are Canada's, and it is up to the government to show leadership. On that front, Mulcair says Trudeau is failing.

"I think Canada should be going to Paris with something more ambitious than Stephen Harper's climate change targets," he said."Canadians who voted for change are going to be disappointed with that."

Tom Mulcair wants firm targets going into COP21

9 years ago

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NDP Leader Tom Mulcair expressed disappointment that the Liberal government was headed to Paris with "Stephen Harper's targets" and called for binding commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

The previous government pegged Canada's emissions commitment at 30 per cent below 2005 levels by 2030.

Environment Minister Catherine McKenna has called that target "the floor,"but said that her government "certainly (wants) to do better."

On Friday in Paris, McKenna defended that position. "We've only been in government a few weeks and it's just not realistic to come up with a new target in advance of Paris," she said.

"I don't think anyone thinks it would be helpful that we throw a number on the table and then not have the ability to deliver on that."

Once a target is set, Trudeau has promised to meet again with provincial and territorial leaders 90 days after the Paris summit to develop a plan forhow to achieve the goal.