Progress in Paris

PM Trudeau lays out ‘five principle’ plan on climate change at COP21

By Aaron Guillen, Staff Reporter

Canada has taken centre stage in the Paris climate change talks. Along with his fellow representing officials, PM Trudeau announced last week his country’s plan to combat climate change with five main principles.

Firstly, Trudeau plans on taking only the best evidence and advice through scientific research. Secondly, he promises to “support and implement policies that contribute to the development of a low carbon economy” which will incorporate carbon pricing.

Trudeau admitted that he doesn’t have all the answers, but that the Aboriginal people hold the key to a brighter tomorrow: “Third, and very importantly, we will work with our provinces, territories, cities, and indigenous leaders who are taking a leadership role on climate change. Indigenous peoples have known for thousands of years how to care for the planet and the rest of us have a lot to learn and no time to waste.” Additionally, Trudeau noted that they aren’t alone, because the cities spread across our nation possess innovative leaders who want only the best for Canada, and have been working to combat climate change.

Fourthly, he vowed that Canada will aid developing countries to deal with the problems that climate change causes, including the vulnerable countries who receive the blunt of the consequences—for example, the Marshall Islands, with their rising sea levels.

Lastly, Canada aims to take the positive outlook on climate change and use it as a building block to grow a thriving economy rooted in “clean technology, green infrastructure, and green jobs.”

Apart from the five principles PM Trudeau is implementing in Canada’s plan for a greener world, Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates staged an event called Mission Innovation, “a group of 19 countries and 28 leading investors that are pledging billions to boost new developments in clean technology,” explained Huffington Post.

Gates is integrating a group of private investors, with a commitment of $7 billion towards research and developments for clean energy—likewise, Trudeau announced that Canada will budget $300 million annually into clean technology innovation.

“We will not sacrifice growth, we will create growth,” said Trudeau.