195 countries agree climate change deal
Obama says COP21 agreement in Paris ‘a turning point for the world’
ATOTAL of 195 countries on Saturday adopted a landmark agreement to fight global climate change, which aims to limit the rise in global warming to below 2°C by reducing carbon emissions. The 21st Conference of Parties (COP 21) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) started on November 28 in Paris, with governments seeking a legally binding deal.
The 12-page agreement eventually adopted sets a high aspirational goal to limit global warming to below 2°C, and to strive to keep temperatures at only 1.5°C above preindustrial levels. It also incorporates commitments from 187 countries to reduce emissions, which on their own would only hold warming to between 2.7°C and 3°C.
The deal highlights countries’ responsibilities for action and provides for finance for poor countries to deal with rising temperatures, both key asks for developing nations. It also includes human rights as a bedrock principle, ecosystem integrity, a commitment on technological support, and the inclusion of a “Loss and Damage” article.
However, it sets out procedures for review at regular intervals to increase emissions cuts, with countries aiming to peak global greenhouse gas emissions as soon as possible, and then rapidly scale down in the second half of this century. UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon said the agreement demonstrated solidarity, was ambitious, flexible, credible, and durable.
All countries had agreed to hold the global temperature rise to well below 2°C. “This is especially important for the nations of Africa, small island developing states, and least developed countries. You have listened to the voices of the most vulnerable and recognised the importance of minimising and addressing loss and damage.
“One-hundred-and-eighty-seven parties have submitted their national plans, the INDCs. I urge the remaining parties to submit their plans as soon as possible. You have rightly agreed that the current level of ambition is the floor, not the ceiling, and that every five years, beginning before 2020, you will regularly review what is needed in line with science.
“Developed countries have agreed to lead in mobilising finance and scale-up technology support and capacity building.”
Ban said the agreement ensured a sufficient, balanced adaptation, and mitigation supporting for developing countries, especially the poorest and most vulnerable.
US Secretary of State John Kerry said the agreement would help change to a global clean energy economy and prevent consequences of climate change from happening.
“We have reached an agreement that, while everybody here understands there are things here and there that everybody doesn’t like, it will help the world prepare for the impacts of climate change that are already here, and also for those we know are now headed our way inevitably,” he said.
Among the 195 countries, almost 190 have submitted plans for the action they will take against climate change. Rich countries agreed to raise $100 billion a year by 2020 to help poor countries transform their economies. The next COP will be held in Morocco.
US President Barack Obama on Saturday called the Paris climate agreement “a turning point for the world,” saying it had created an “enduring framework” for future efforts.
“This agreement sends a powerful signal that the world is firmly committed to a lowcarbon future,” said Obama in a televised speech. “This agreement represents the best chance we’ve had to save the one planet that we’ve got.”
Even if all the initial targets set in Paris would be met, the efforts to reduce carbon from the atmosphere would have to be continued, said Obama.
“We’ll only be part of the way there when it comes to reducing carbon from the atmosphere,” he said. “But make no mistake, the Paris agreement establishes the enduring framework the world needs to solve the climate crisis.” – ANA, Xinhua