Canadian emissions creep lower

Canada’s latest greenhouse gas inventory report to the United Nations shows emissions are starting to trend downward, but not nearly at the rate needed to meet the country’s international commitments under the Paris climate change accord.

The report was made public Tuesday, as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was at the National Assembly in Paris lauding both Canada and France as international leaders on climate change.

“It is up to us to make this agreement in principle a reality,” Trudeau said in French in his speech to the assembly. “It is up to us to ensure that our children and grandchildren can breathe fresh air and enjoy the great outdoors like we did.”

Canada and France signed a partnership agreement on climate this week, agreeing to help get other countries to agree to implement carbon pricing systems, improve energy efficiencies and cut emissions across all forms of transportation.