Climate talks on for now

French authorities rule out cancellation of a crucial climate summit to be attended by world leaders in Paris on November 30, but suspend plans for a live 24-hour webcast

Terror has cast its dark shadow on the climate talks scheduled to be held in Paris, with a live webcast of a 24 hour marathon by Nobel Peace Prize winner Al Gore to highlight climate change suspended and France imposing new security restrictions for the talks.

Over 100 heads of states, including Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Barack Obama, were expected to participate in the inaugural of the fortnight-long Paris climate summit starting on November 30, which aims to have most ambitious deal among 196 nations to reduce global warming causing carbon emissions.

Soon after the attack, which left 127 persons dead, many of the world leaders reiterated their commitment to be there for the summit that is being organised in outskirts of the city Le Bourget. The summit will also mark world leaders showing solidarity with France to fight terror.

AFP quoted French authorities ruling out the possibility of the cancellation or postponing the mega-event, for which the government has been preparing for the last one year.

Agencies also quoted French authorities as saying that the border restrictions imposed on Saturday will continue for the climate summit – meaning that free travel from within European countries would happen only after proper security checks. However, those have Schengen visas will not face any problem, a French Embassy statement in Delhi said.

The first implication of the terror attack was visible on Saturday with authorities suspending live webcast of 24 hours of Reality and Live Earth hosted by Gore as precursor to the summit. Part of the marathon was to be held at Eiffel Tower, which has been closed, and was also from other parts of the world.

Agencies reported sources said that some pre-summit events including a meet of youth leaders from across the world on climate change may be cancelled or pruned.

A march of over 10,000 people has been planned through Paris on November 29, asking world leaders to ensure an ambitious deal.