Justin Trudeau optimistic heading into Paris climate change talks

This article is part of a package of special coverage of climate change issues by CBC News leading up to the United Nations climate change conference (COP21) being held in Paris from Nov. 30 to Dec. 11.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says he's not only optimistic a deal will be reached during the United Nations climate change conference in Paris, but he's comfortable parts of that deal could be legally binding.

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Trudeau touched down in Paris Saturday nightahead of the two-week conference.He meets with French PresidentFranoisHollandeon Sunday.

Leaders and climate negotiators from almost 200 countries are meeting fromNov. 30 to Dec. 11to try to work out the broadest and longest-lasting deal so farto slow global warming.

Trudeau preps for Paris

9 years ago

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Justin Trudeau says around the world citizens are calling on their governments to act on climate change.

However, the prime ministersays it's unlikely that obtainingcarbon reduction targets will be mandatory. That's largely because it would be politically impossible for U.S. President Barack Obama to get suchlegislation through the Republican-dominated Congress.

The one thing weare focusing on now beyond targets,which have time and time been setand not met, is establishing a plan to actually meet those targets.- Prime Minister Justin Trudeau

Trudeau says he believes it could be legally binding for countries to disclose how they are aiming to reach targets.

"That's the balance PresidentHollandeis looking for and certainly what we encourage,"Trudeausaid Saturday in Malta,where he wrapped up meetings with the heads of otherCommonwealth countries.

"I have tremendous faith in Parliament and my friendly opposition leaders to ensure we are held to account for the commitments we make."

Concentrating on a plan

The premiers of Alberta, British Columbia, Ontario, Quebec and Saskatchewan will meetTrudeauin Paris this weekend. It's a chance, as Alberta Premier Rachel Notley says, to show the world they'redealing with a newCanada.

"I think it's just very, very important for people to see that they're dealing with a different thing now in Alberta, and hopefully they'll view our efforts to engage in international trade more positively as a result," she said.

Trudeau will not provide a new greenhouse emissions target in Paris. Hehas committed to talking to the premiers within 90 days of the climate change summit to set targets.

Environment Minister Catherine McKenna said the pasttarget made under the Conservative government will be used as a minimum, referring to itas"a floor, not a ceiling."

The Conservatives announced in May that Canada's contribution to this year's Paris talks would be a 30 per cent cut in greenhouse gas emissions below 2005 levels by 2030.

Trudeausaid global warming could have"a catastrophic impact," especially for Canada's Arctic.

"The one thing we are focusing on now beyond targets, which have time and time been set and not met, is establishing a plan to actually meet those targets and that's why it is so important to demonstrate the kind of ambitious
commitments that Canada is making concretely around emissions reductions," he said.

"We are focused on the plan to reduce emissions as much as we are targets."

Trudeau to meet Indian PM

Trudeau will sit down with his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi on Sunday night in Paris to make the case for a comprehensive climate change agreement.

Modi took a pass on Malta, and his country is seen as a significant impediment to a global climate change pact, given India's refusal to rein in its galloping greenhouse gas emissions.

Trudeau told reporters he remains optimistic India will come on board for thepost-2020 climate pact being negotiated in Paris.

He said citizens "are going to look very negatively at countries that don't participate."

"For a concrete example of that, we need not look much further than our own story and the difficulty we had getting pipelines built because people didn't believe we were taking our environmental responsibilities seriously."