Harper: "It's very difficult to significantly lower emissions growth"

Prime Minister Stephen Harper, speaking at the World Economic Forum on Thursday that Canada won't immediately commit to deep carbon emission reduction targets. 

“They simply cannot be reduced by declaring a target and saying they will be met by power of will, because that isn’t going to happen," Harper said.

The comment quickly drew criticism from other world leaders according to CTV, including the South African President, Spanish Prime Minister and Mexican President.

Mexico will be hosting the next major UN climate summit this December in Cancun. January 31 is the deadline for key nations such as the U.S., China and India to submit climate targets following the Copenhagen summit last December.

Other climate news for today:

B.C. should protect land as a hedge against climate change, groups say

AFRICA COUNTS: Africa in Copenhagen – Climate Change

Copenhagen: what next?

Nations Take First Steps on Copenhagen 'Accord'