CP Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer is shown in the foyer of the House of Commons on Parliament Hill on Oct. 1, 2018.

As international experts sound the alarm for urgent action on climate change, the federal Conservative leader says Canadians should stay tuned to learn how he'd tackle the problem as prime minister. And in a remark that the federal environment minister has dubbed "hugely ironic," Andrew Scheer is bemoaning that too much of the domestic debate has centred on the carbon tax that his party vociferously opposes. Scheer is in India this week to beef up his international credentials with a federal election almost a year away. The Tory leader said he promoted Canadian oil during a meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. But in an interview Tuesday with CBC's "Power & Politics," Scheer was repeatedly pressed on a dire new report from the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), warning the world could be just 12 years away from catastrophe. Earlier: Scheer says carbon tax is 'bad for absolutely everyone'

The IPCC report, released Monday, calls for major cuts to greenhouse gas emissions to try to keep global warming to 1.5 degrees C — a level expected to be hit between 2030 and 2052 — rather than the target of 2 C spelled out in the Paris climate accord. At 2 C, everything from melting sea ice to famines will be significantly worse than at 1.5 C, the report states. Canada would need to slash its emissions almost in half over the next 12 years to meet those tougher targets. Asked by host Catherine Cullen if he was concerned about what is becoming a "life or death situation," Scheer said he's "always concerned about environmental issues" and that Tories take the matter seriously. Watch the full interview from CBC News:

In 2017, Tory MPs voted in favour of Canada implementing the Paris climate accord. Scheer has pledged to meet those targets without forcing a carbon tax on Canadians. "We're going to be coming out with our comprehensive plan to reduce CO2 without imposing a carbon tax that has been shown to raise costs without actually reducing emissions," he said. Scheer said Canadians can expect to see his party's plan "very soon," but chuckled when Cullen pressed if he would release a plan before the end of 2018. "Our plan will be unveiled in a way that voters will have the time to go through it and evaluate it," he said, adding his party is focused on holding Liberals to account during the last phases of this Parliament. Cullen noted the IPCC has called for unprecedented steps to avoid disaster. "Can you name one major step, an unprecedented step a Conservative government would be willing to take to address this life or death issue?" she asked. 'Frustrated' by focus on carbon tax? "Well, I know you're trying to get a sneak peek of our plan, Catherine. I don't blame you for that," Scheer replied with a smile. "As I said, we'll be unveiling that as it comes forward." Asked if he feels a sense of urgency on the issue, Scheer said he agrees there is a need for action. "That's one of the reasons why we're frustrated that, on the federal level, this entire conversation has been consumed with the carbon tax and whether you're for it or against," he said. "The Liberals are trying to frame that... as you're either committed to the issue or not. I reject that." Conservative MPs consistently hammer the Liberals on their plan to impose a carbon tax on provinces and territories without a suitable system to price emissions. The pricing would start at $20 per tonne in 2019 and rise $10 per year until 2022. Tories argue the scheme will raise costs for Canadians and kill jobs. 'What's the plan?' In his speech to Tory delegates at the party's policy convention in August, Scheer said there is a "carbon tax revolt" brewing in the country and pledged that dismantling the Liberal plan would be his first act as PM. Environment Minister Catherine McKenna tweeted that it was "hugely ironic" Scheer was complaining about the focus on a carbon tax, saying that "opposing pricing pollution" is the only Tory talking point. "Canadians deserve to know: What's the plan?" she wrote.

Hugely ironic given opposing pricing pollution is the Conservative's only position & talking point on climate change. The #CPC voted in favour of the Paris Agreement & Andrew Scheer committed to having a plan to meet our target. Canadians deserve to know: What's the plan? https://t.co/mtuwQuKveg — Catherine McKenna 🇨🇦 (@cathmckenna) October 9, 2018