Prime Minister Justin Trudeau listens to a question from environment journalists during a round table discussion in Montreal on Wednesday, December 7, 2022. Trudeau says he believes at least 120 countries are now on board the COP15 nature summit target to protect nearly one-third of land and marine coastlines by 2030.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Paul Chiasson
OTTAWA – Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says he believes at least 120 countries are ready to sign on to a COP15 nature summit target to protect nearly one-third of land and marine coastlines by 2030.
But he acknowledges the negotiations with some of the five biggest countries in the world pose a diplomatic and political challenge.
China is officially the host of this conference but because of ongoing COVID-19 restrictions there, the event is being held Montreal.
That gives Canada more influence in the negotiations, and Trudeau says it’s allowed Canada to push for more than China was seeking.
He also says Canada made it clear to both China and the UN that if the conference was in Montreal it would be under local rules, with tolerance for protest and divergent opinions.
Trudeau says Russia, which is home to one-fifth of the world’s forested land, is already proving to be a disruptive presence at COP15 – but Canada and other countries are determined not to let Russia prevent a successful deal.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 7, 2022.
