Honourable senators, COP 30 opened as a beacon of hope for environmental advocates and frontline communities. However, the outcomes remain modest when measured against the accelerating pace and scale of the planetary crisis we’re facing.

The Global Implementation Accelerator was launched, but it creates no obligations. Despite overwhelming scientific evidence and broad public support for a phase-down of fossil fuels, in the end, even the words “fossil fuel” were kept out of the final statement, and countries were only able to agree to a joint declaration.

As in previous COPs, momentum could not overcome the influence of fossil fuel lobbyists, who outnumbered the delegation of every country in attendance except Brazil. Negotiations failed to resolve the longstanding structural tension between the needs of developing countries and the deeply unequal responsibility of developed nations for the impacts of fossil fuel dependence.

At COP 30, I emphasized that climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution are not separate crises; they are interconnected parts of one emergency. Science confirms that seven of the nine planetary boundaries that make Earth safe for life have now been breached. This is not a warning of future catastrophe; it is our present reality, and it threatens our food systems, water supplies, health and economies.

In alignment with a recent International Court of Justice advisory decision, which clarifies that states have an obligation to align their actions with climate science and prevent significant environmental harm, COP 30 did deliver meaningful progress toward climate justice with a call for the development of a just transition mechanism, or JTM, along with transition pathways that will uphold human and labour rights, social dialogue, gender equality and the needs of marginalized communities.

The Tropical Forests Forever Facility, or TFFF, aimed at supporting Indigenous Peoples and local communities, was also launched at COP 30.

Today it is clear, dear colleagues, that two futures are emerging. One is led by China, Europe and a handful of U.S. states, which are leading the way as they transition to electro‑state economies. The other is driven by petrostates opposing an unstoppable transition while risking stranded assets and economic instability. Our peers in the G7 are transitioning, and global clean energy investment is expected to reach US $3.3 trillion in 2025. How much of these funds will reach Canada?

The world is shifting. Science is unequivocal. International law is evolving. History will judge not our intentions but our actions.

We must choose coherence and foresight, align our economy with science, protect nature and support the most vulnerable.

Thank you. Meegwetch.