MALKOLM BOOTHROYD

Members of the Canadian Youth Delegation shortly before they were ejected from COP17 on Wednesday as Canadas Environment Minister, Peter Kent delivered his opening address. Just as Kent began his speech, they stood and turned away from him, revealing the message Turn your back on Canada on their T-shirts.

I first came to Africa in the 1970s as a journalist based in South Africa. I left years later with a deep appreciation for the country (and having met my wife of 30 years and counting).

It is a pleasure to be back in Durban. This time, I have the honour of representing my country at the COP17 climate conference as Canada’s environment minister.

When I returned from Africa to Canada in the 1980s, one of my first documentary projects was on the then-still-theoretical concept of the Greenhouse Effect.

Three decades later, the reality is no longer debatable and arguments about historic responsibility can no longer be used to delay real reductions by all major emitters.

It is clear to me that, despite the economic uncertainty and political change sweeping over parts of the world right now, delegates have assembled here hoping to get results. Canada is no different.

The Canadian delegation has come to Durban to work with our international partners toward a new climate agreement that includes commitments by all major global emitters – a pact based on the Cancun Agreements of last year, as these are credible and include the big emitters.

While Canada will not block consensus for countries that want a second commitment under the Kyoto protocol, we will not sign on. As has long been our position, Kyoto simply does not work.

Kyoto covers less than 30 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions.

Extending it will only allow emissions to continue increasing (as they have since 1997) and the pressing challenges of climate change will remain unaddressed.

Kyoto, for Canada, is in the past. It is time to move forward.

Canada believes the most fair, effective and comprehensive way to address global climate change is through a single new agreement that will deliver real reductions in GHGs.

Reflects

We also believe it is important for countries to take action that more appropriately reflects their national circumstances.

Canada, for example, is working with the US – our closest neighbour and largest trading partner – on aggressive targets and real reductions.

Domestically, we are regulating reductions by major emitters sector by sector, deliberately, to balance the need for a cleaner, healthier environment with the need to protect jobs and our economy.

We are also working with our provinces and territories who are themselves doing some truly interesting things in their spheres of influence.

We are committed to living up to the commitments inscribed in the Copenhagen Accord to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 17 percent from 2005 levels by 2020.

And we are making progress. We are already a quarter of the way there.

We are doing our part at home and abroad.

We are committing $1.2 billion in so-called “fast start” financing to help developing countries be part of the solution.

These investments, including a project in Lesotho and another under consideration here in South Africa, will reduce emissions and help with both adaptation and mitigation efforts in parts of the world that are vulnerable to climate change effects, but lack the financial resources to move forward alone.

Much was made about Canada’s intentions coming to Durban. There was speculation and false suggestions that we were standing in the way of progress on a climate deal.

Nothing can be further from the truth. As I told Executive Secretary Figueres when we met shortly after I arrived in Durban, we are here to participate in good faith.

We are looking ahead. We are here to move the process forward. Our negotiators have been working diligently to that end. Our climate change ambassador and I have also been hard at work.

Collectively, we are covering a lot of ground. And we are hopeful something concrete will emerge by the time the conference draws to a close.

In the 1970s, I left South Africa with the greatest gift of my life. This time, I hope to leave having made a significant contribution to the lives of people around the world now and for generations to come.

I am confident that all delegates share with me that same hope.

What is required for that to materialise and for a deal to be done, however, is a widespread recognition and acceptance that climate change is a global challenge requiring a global solution.

Everyone must do their share. In that sense, Canada has been and will continue to be a willing partner.

* Kent is Canada’s environment minister