British Columbia

Gregor Robertson talks climate change strategy with Justin Trudeau in Paris

Vancouver's mayor sat down with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in Paris Sunday to discuss the importance of collaboration between the federal government and Canada's municipalities in fighting climate change.

Canada has opportunity to become world leader on issue, says Robertson

Vancouver's message at Paris climate talks

9 years ago
Duration 8:28
Mayor Gregor Robertson would like to see his city's goal of reducing greenhouse gases by 80% adopted across the country

Vancouver's mayor sat down with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in Paris Sunday to discuss the importance of collaboration between the federal government and Canada's municipalities in fighting climate change.

Gregor Robertson met with Trudeau and Environment Minister Catherine McKenna in advance of the United Nations Climate Change Conference, which kicks off Monday.

While Canada isn't expected to announce any firm emissions-reduction goals during the global gathering, Robertson says he'd like to see the same ambitious emissions targets in his city adopted across the country.

Vancouver aims to become fully reliant on renewable energy by 2050, coupled with an 80 per cent reduction in greenhouse-gas emissions.

Speaking from Paris, Robertson says Canada has the opportunity to become a world leader on climate change and the green economy, which he describes as the biggest economic opportunity in the country's history.

B.C. Premier Christy Clark also met with Trudeau on Sunday despite being delayed in getting to Paris.

Meanwhile, thousands of people turned up to march in global climate demonstrations in cities across Canada, including Vancouver and Victoria.

with files from the Canadian Press