The 2015 United Nations Climate Change Conference is being held in Le Bourget, Paris from November 30 to December 11. This will be the 11th session of the Meeting of the Parties to the 1997 Kyoto Protocol, an international treaty established in Japan in 1997 in efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The purpose of the upcoming meeting in Paris, with approximately 190 member nations attending, is to achieve a legally binding and universal agreement on climate, even amid the security concerns driven by the terror attacks in France earlier this month.
Canada’s Environment Minister Catherine McKenna stated Sunday “It’s really important we get everyone at the table, where everyone commits to do their fair share,” a sentiment echoed by newly elected Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
Although the talks are largely centered around encouraging international cooperation in addressing environmental and climate change concerns, several indications point to the talks also being a medium in which other large issues will be discussed. Already, Prime Minister Trudeau met with the French president on Sunday to discuss a broad range of topics including the fight against ISIS, terrorism, and free trade and economics concerns. “World security, terrorism issues, refugee issues and countering radicalization are the big subjects that draw us together … Canada is pleased to be able to play a strong and positive role on the world stage now,” Trudeau said.
Ultimately, the decisions made at this conference, in relation to a wide range of topics including terrorism and climate change, will encourage a world-wide response. What are your thoughts on this conference?