Canadian Minister of Environment and Climate Change Steven Guilbeault said the world must accelerate global efforts in this critical decade to keep the Paris Agreement goal of 1.5ºC within reach and avoid the most catastrophic impacts of climate change.
Guilbeault is leading the Canadian delegation to the United Nations Climate Change Conference, COP27, in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, from November 6–18, 2022, where 190 other countries will gather to engage in important negotiations and dialogues around fighting climate change and adapting to its impacts.
She said ongoing global geopolitical challenges have only strengthened Canada’s resolve to fight climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution while growing a clean economy that builds a more resilient, affordable future for all, according to a statement distributed by the Canadian embassy in Cairo.
Ahead of COP26 in Glasgow, UK, last year, Canada committed to reducing its greenhouse gas emissions by forty to forty-five per cent below 2005 levels by 2030 in order to meet the Paris Agreement. Canada is now focused on implementation, having launched the 2030 Emissions Reduction Plan in March 2022, the most comprehensive sector-by-sector road map to achieve our target. As the transition to cleaner economies accelerates worldwide, Canada stands to gain from seizing opportunities in this competitive global race, she said.
Over the course of COP27, Canada will support ambitious outcomes within the negotiations, including on issues related to climate finance and adaptation. Canada will also advance concrete actions that raise global ambition, including building international support for the phasing-out of coal-fired electricity, reducing methane emissions, increasing climate finance commitments from developed nations, cutting plastic waste, and protecting nature, she added.
For the first time in recent history, Canada will also have a national Pavilion to highlight both domestic and international leadership in the fight against climate change and promote Canadian innovations, from low-carbon businesses and clean technologies, to sustainable finance and nature-based solutions. The Pavilion will provide a critical venue to convene key partners and stakeholders on important discussions, including on carbon pricing and on Indigenous climate leadership in Canada, she said.
Canada’s delegation, led by Minister Guilbeault, includes Catherine Stewart, Ambassador for Climate Change, and Steven Kuhn, Canada’s Chief Negotiator for Climate Change. Canada has taken steps to ensure diverse perspectives are reflected through its inclusive delegation, which will be comprised of parliamentarians representing both the House of Commons and the Senate; Indigenous representatives; representatives from civil society organizations and youth, business, and labour, as well as most provinces and territories.
Shortly after COP27, Canada will welcome the world to Montréal from December 7–19, 2022, for the United Nations Biodiversity Conference, COP15, where it will continue to advocate for international collaboration on an ambitious post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework. Protecting nature and halting biodiversity loss in Canada and around the world are top priorities for Canada, she said.
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