Canada's priorities on climate change
Canada has long recognized the principle that free and open trade, protecting the environment and acting on climate change must go together. Our sustainable prosperity will depend on this.
Putting the Paris Agreement into action
As Canada and more than 90 countries have ratified the Paris Agreement, Canada is working to put the Agreement into action.
Clear commitments to keep emissions in check
At the UN Climate Change Conference (COP), Canada will encourage the establishment of strong guidance for nationally determined contributions to help countries formulate clear and transparent mitigation commitments that reflect their highest possible ambition in light of their national circumstances. Canada will also work with other Parties to develop guidance for tracking their progress
Enhanced action on adaptation
Canada will continue to support a prominent international focus on adaptation actions, particularly for developing countries. To build capacity to adapt to the impacts of a changing climate, Canada will encourage Parties to undertake planning processes for adaptation at the national level and report on their progress, to sharing their experiences and lessons learned.
Promoting collaborative approaches to climate action
Canada will continue to promote market mechanisms including carbon pricing, linkages of carbon market policies, sub-national carbon market efforts and mechanisms to promote sustainable land use. These can be effective tools to reduce emissions and stimulate investments in green technology and infrastructure. Canada will ensure guidance developed under the UNFCCC provides flexibility in how Parties wish to cooperate, including the use of bottom-up collaborative approaches by their sub-national governments.
Investing toward a low-carbon future for all
In 2015, Canada committed $2.65 billion in climate finance over five years to support climate change action in developing countries. Canada is working to ensure that climate finance is accessible, catalytic, and effective at reducing emissions and enhancing resilience on the ground. Mobilizing private sector investment and innovation to accelerate the adoption of clean technology is a key aspect of our support. This is why Canada is financing transformational mitigation initiatives, climate-smart agriculture, and is building local capacity and climate resilience abroad.
Promoting transparency and accountability
Transparent and complete information on countries’ greenhouse gas emissions and climate efforts is fundamental to understand the climate change challenge, and to design and implement appropriate responses. Canada will advocate for common reporting and review requirements that provide adequate flexibility to accommodate different capacities and national circumstances. Reporting and review processes should be designed to encourage Parties to improve the transparency of their climate action over time and to strengthen trust among all Parties.
Sharing knowledge and experiences
Canada will share expertise, best practices and lessons learned in climate action with officials from other countries, together with provinces and territories, Indigenous peoples, the business community and civil society representatives.
Sustaining the momentum
Canada strongly supports the long-term goals established under the Paris Agreement and will work collaboratively with all countries to effectively implement the Agreement, to support initiatives that help Parties start implementing their commitments as early as feasible, and to continue to advocate for climate action in complementary international fora and engage with sub-national governments and non-state actors to develop ambitious climate solutions.
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