UN conference on climate change: COP28 in United Arab Emirates

Canada also continued to champion the importance of delivering on broader climate finance commitments in support of vulnerable communities across the globe.

Canada worked equally hard to ensure the importance of protecting nature to help fight the climate crisis was considered, and secured recognition that climate action and biodiversity action are mutually reinforcing goals. Read the COP28 summary of outcomes.  

COP28 was an opportunity to showcase the breadth of Canada’s climate leadership and innovation as well as its inclusive and collaborative approach to tackle the triple crisis of:

• climate change
• biodiversity loss
• pollution

Canada’s delegation

The Government of Canada is committed to taking a whole-of-government, whole-of-society approach to climate change action. Full participation from Canadians in all parts of the country and all sectors of the economy is essential to building an effective path forward that both achieves Canada’s climate goals for 2030 and 2050 and builds a prosperous economy. Canada recognizes the need to mobilize as many resources as possible in the fight against climate change, and the key is to consider diverse perspectives.

Minister Steven Guilbeault led Canada’s delegation to COP28, supported by Canada’s Ambassador for Climate Change, Catherine Stewart, and Jean-François Tremblay, Deputy Minister of Environment and Climate Change. Michael Bonser, Canada’s Chief Negotiator for Climate Change, led Canada’s participation in the negotiations.

Canada’s COP28 delegation included representatives from various groups, including parliamentarians representing both the House of Commons and the Senate, representatives from civil society organizations, business, labour, most provinces and territories as well as Indigenous representatives and youth. Two members of the Environment and Climate Change Youth Council joined Canada’s delegation to COP28, in addition to several other youth delegates.