Canadian PM urges nations to cut coal consumption

FILE: He noted such reduction would help mitigate climate change-driving carbon emissions from burning coal, a fossil fuel, to produce power. (Photo by Laurel L. Russwurm/Flickr, Public Domain)

MANILA— Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has raised the urgency for further reducing coal consumption around the globe.

He noted such reduction would help mitigate climate change-driving carbon emissions from burning coal, a fossil fuel, to produce power.

“We need to reduce fossil fuel use,” he said Tuesday during a media briefing on the side of the 31st Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit in Manila.

He added there is a need for global action towards greater energy efficiency.

The Paris Agreement on Climate Change promotes global emission reduction. Discussions on advancing the Paris Agreement’s implementation across various areas, including emission reduction, are in progress in Germany at the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change’s 23rd
Conference of Parties.

According to Trudeau, Canada continues coordinating with allies on reducing its consumption of coal.

“We’re investing in renewables,” he said.

He also reassured Canada’s commitment to helping countries deal with climate change.

In November 2015, he announced Canada would contribute USD2.65 billion over the next five years to help developing countries address the climate change challenge.

Trudeau has come to the Philippines for the 31st ASEAN Summit. He also came for the 40th anniversary of dialogue relations between ASEAN and Canada.