David Coon heads to Paris for UN climate change conference
Green Party Leader David Coon will be part of the Canadian delegation in Paris for the United Nations climate change conference next week.
Some 80 government leaders will be gathering in Paris to try to reach a binding agreement on reducing greenhouse gases.
"This conference is a critical opportunity for Premier Gallant to learn first-hand about how other governments are seizing onto the green energy transition to build strong, vibrant economies that are creating jobs every day," said Coon in a statement.
"We can begin that transition now, if we build on initiatives already underway in New Brunswick in green building construction, smart grid development, bioenergy production and clean tech development."
Coon said he accepted the invitation to the conference from Gallant.
Canada's delegation at the climate summit will have no shortage of politicians.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has asked the premiers to attend the conference. But Trudeau has also invited other party leaders to join him at the summit.
Coon said he looks forward to working collaboratively with Gallant during the conference, which begins Monday and runs until Dec. 11.
A new session of the New Brunswick Legislature begins on Dec. 1 with the throne speech. The New Brunswick delegation will leave for Paris in the days following the throne speech.
Coon welcomed the opportunity to work with Gallant on the climate change file.
"He has the opportunity to play a leadership role in Canada by making New Brunswick the poster child for the coming energy transition," Coon said.
Coon attended last April's premiers' climate summit in Quebec City as part of the New Brunswick delegation.
Coon's participation in the Paris conference was announced on Tuesday by the Green party.
Prior to entering politics, Coon had a long history in the environmental movement, working with the New Brunswick Conservation Council.
He is a former chairman of the Canadian Climate Action Network and attended the UN Climate Summit in Montreal in 2005.
