Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told international dignitaries that “Canada is back,” Monday in his speech at the opening of the COP21 climate talks in Paris.

Trudeau told the crowd, “our government is making climate change a top priority and our actions will be based on five principals.”

Trudeau promised first to proceed with climate policy “based on the best scientific information and advice” adding, “second, we will support and implement policies that will contribute to the low-carbon economy and this will include carbon pricing.”

"Third and very importantly, we will work with our provinces, territories, cities, and indigenous leaders who are taking a leadership role on climate change,” he said.

“Indigenous peoples have known for thousands of years how to care for our planet. The rest of us have a lot to learn and no time to waste.” He added that Canadian cities also have much to teach government how to “create clean growth and combat climate change.”

Video: Zack Embree

On Tuesday environment and climate change minister Catherine McKenna hosted a working lunch with Canadian indigenous leaders including Okalik Eegeesiak, chair of the Inuit Circumpolar Council, Chief Bill Erasmus from the Assembly of First Nations and David Chartland, vice president of the Métis National Council.

“Fourth, we will help the developing world tackle the challenges of climate change.”

Canada impressed the international community by announcing an increase in contributions to the green climate find to $2.65 billion from a previous $300 million under the Conservatives.

“Many of the world’s most vulnerable countries have done little to contribute to the problem but face the most significant consequences,” Trudeau said. “And all countries deserve the right to develop and this development can and should be base on access to clean energy technologies.”

Bill Gates congratulated Canada for increasing its pledge to support developing nations in their transition to clean energy.

Canada joined Gates and a handful of other investors in Mission Innovation, a collaboration of 20 nations to accelerate the clean energy revolution.

Trudeau said Canada is ready to “take on a new leadership role internationally.”

“We will participate in collaborative initiatives, such as Mission Innovation and the carbon pricing leadership coalition and we will seek out opportunity to work bilaterally or multilaterally beginning with our North American partners.”

“Finally, we view climate change not just on the challenge it is but also as an historic opportunity: an opportunity to build a sustainable economy based on clean technology, green infrastructure, and green jobs.”

“We will not sacrifice growth: we will create growth.” 

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Earlier today at a meeting of Commonwealth nations in Malta, Prime Minister Trudeau announced that his government would increase its Green Climate Fund commitment to $2.65 billion.

Here's a quick rundown what that actually means.

The Green Climate Fund was set up as part of the United Nations climate negotiation process, with a goal of raising $100 billion from both the public and private sector by 2020. The wealthiest countries at the negotiating table have been under pressure to contribute more money to the Green Climate Fund. 

The idea behind the Green Climate Fund is to overcome a major sticking point in the UN climate treaty process, which is that developing nations are being asked to invest in renewable energy technology and take measures to reduce the impacts of climate change, but do not have nearly the money needed to do so. 

The money raised for the Green Climate Fund will be spent on projects that help developing nations in regions like sub-Saharan Africa adapt to the impacts of climate change, as well as put in place their own greenhouse gas mitigation plans.

Earlier this year, former Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced his government would commit $300 million to the Green Climate Fund. This announcement was not met favorably, considering Canada is the 10th wealthiest nation in the world, and that other countries have commitmed much more. The U.S. has pledged $3 billion and Japan, Germany, France and Britain have all pledged over $1 billion to the Green Climate Fund.

With today's announcement by Prime Minister Trudeau, Canada has not only become one of the largest contributors to the Green Climate Fund, but it also will put a lot of pressure on other wealthy nations at the upcoming UN climate summit in Paris, to commit for the first time, or re-up the commitments they have already made. Looking at the pledge tracker maintained by the Green Climate Fund, Trudeau's commitment (in U.S. dollars) puts Canada second only to the United States when it comes to overall amounts committed.

As for Trudeau, he will now be coming into the Paris negotiations on a wave of positive momentum, both domestically and internationally, but will still be put to task over other major issues that Canada is still considered weak on. Three big issues that remain unaddressed are:

1) Canada's overall reduction target and stated year to meet that target,

2) whether Alberta's oilsands will be included in any nation-wide greenhouse gas reduction commitments, and

3) if a cap-and-trade type system is to be implemented, at what "floor price" will taxes on emissions start.

All very big issues, and while it is unrealistic for a government so early in its mandate to commit outright to all these things at the Paris climate summit starting this Monday, observers will be looking for further details on what a final Canadian action plan on climate change might look like.

Image: Flickr

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