By Jessica Lepp

International Climate Agreement reached in Paris

Dec 13, 2015 | 9:11 AM

KAMLOOPS — Canada’s Environment Minister says the international climate deal, which was reached in Paris on Saturday, will pave the way for many opportunities. 

Catherine McKenna says the world is moving to a low-carbon economy and that this country’s fossil fuel industry will soon have to accept the reality.

The pact doesn’t include a target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions that are blamed for global warming however Prime Minister Trudeau has said he plans to meet with the premiers in the next three months to set Canada’s emissions targets.

Meantime, the agreement is being touted as a “first of it’s kind” by a Kamloops environmentalist.

Cheryl Kabloona is the Chair of the Kamloops chapter of the B.C. Sustainable Energy Association and says while the plan isn’t perfect; it’s a great first step.

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Kabloona says “I’m thinking it’s the best we’re going to get. They brought 195 countries and got consensus on this, so you can imagine how extremely difficult that was, especially with Saudi Arabia wanting to continue producing oil. There’s a lot of diversity and viewpoints, so to reach a consensus with 195 countries is phenomenal”. 

Kabloona says Canada played a big role in the agreement.

“I’m really proud of our government and country to do the right thing. I think world leaders understand now that it’s so important that we do something about this world problem,” said Kabloona.

She is also particularly pleased with the goal to keep the temperature rise at 1.5 degrees and the pledge for financial support in 2020 to help developing countries use clean energy instead of fossil fuels.