channelnewsasia.com
Dec 13, 2015
China and India, the world’s two most populous nations and biggest developing country greenhouse-gas polluters, hailed Saturday’s adoption of a universal climate pact as a step to a brighter future.
LE BOURGET, France: China and India, the world’s two most populous nations and biggest developing country greenhouse-gas polluters, hailed Saturday’s (Dec 12) adoption of a universal climate pact as a step to a brighter future.
“What we have adopted is not only an agreement, but we have written a new chapter of hope in the lives of seven billion people on the planet,” Indian Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar said to loud applause from exhausted but elated climate negotiators.
“We have today reassured this future generation that we all together will mitigate the challenge posed by climate change and will give them a better Earth.”
China’s climate envoy Xie Zhenhua said the agreement saw the nations of the world “marching historic steps forward.”
“All parties have made a correct choice that is beneficial for their own people, responsible for future generations and conducive to sustainable development around the world,” he said through a translator.
“This indeed is a marvellous act that belongs to our generation, and all of us.”
In the years-long quest for a pact to commit all the world’s nations to greenhouse gas curbs, Beijing and New Delhi have often clashed with the United States and other developed nations in the UN climate forum.
Along with other developing nations, they have resisted efforts to have onerous emissions-cutting obligations placed upon them, and have insisted on assurances of finance from rich nations – which objected in return.
These issues have caused many a fallout over the years. But on Saturday, the enmity dropped away.
“After relentless efforts, the Paris agreement that we have achieved today is an agreement that is fair and just, comprehensive and balanced, highly ambitious, enduring and effective,” said Xie.
PHILIPPINE INTERESTS “NOT ADEQUATELY ADDRESSED'”
Not everyone though, is happy about the landmark agreement.
The targets set by nations will not be legally binding under the deal. Only some parts of the agreement are binding, such as submitting an emissions reduction target and the regular review of that goal.
In Manila, the capital of the Philippines, environmental campaigners used pedal power to press home their dismay over the Paris climate change agreement.
About 500 packed Manila’s main avenues while others on foot carried banners and placards.
The campaign group People’s Action for Climate Change said the Paris accord on cutting greenhouse gasses doesn’t go far enough.
“The interests of the countries like the Philippines have not been adequately addressed,” said Giovanni Tapang, spokesman for the group.
“Leaving the decisions for countries and not having very well-defined targets for emissions, actually makes it more dangerous for countries like the Philippines for climate change.”
The Philippines has become a particular focus for the impact of climate change. It gets an average of 20 typhoons a year and those storms have intensified in recent years with deadly consequences.
– AFP/CNA/ec/jo
