“The Paris agreement establishes the enduring framework the world needs to solve the climate crisis”, the United States leader said at the White House. Along with the provinces and territories, we will work with a wide array of stakeholders – and all Canadians – to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, including through carbon pricing. “Paris shows the rest of the world that it recognizes this is an urgent problem and that we need to act now”, she said.
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“Developed countries politicised the issue of loss and damage in the Paris talks, trying to limit options for poor countries to deal with climate threats”, said Sven Harmeling, climate change advocacy coordinator for CARE International.
The President said the agreement is not flawless, but sets a framework that will contain periodic reviews and assessments to ensure that countries meet their commitments to curb carbon emissions.
Representative Raul Grijalva, the top Democrat on the House Committee on Natural Resources, urged quick action by the Republican-led Congress to fund and support the Paris accord. But he added that “this does not prevent us from marching historical steps forward”. “I believe this will continue because I just personally can not believe that any person who doesn’t understand the science and isn’t prepared to do for the next generation what we did here today and follow through on it can not and will not be elected president of the United States”.
The deal provides strong assurance to developing countries that they will be supported as they pursue clean and climate resilient growth, it said.
He acknowledged that a Republican president could undo the agreement, but said there is already plenty of evidence that climate change is having a damaging and expensive impact with more intense storms, wildfires and melting glaciers.
Democratic presidential front runner Hillary Clinton released a statement via Twitter applauding the agreement and pushing back against its critics.
Speaking at the White House hours after the deal was completed, Obama said that “no agreement is ideal, including this one”, and that negotiations that involve almost 200 nations are always challenging.
But even as world leaders delivered glowing platitudes and backslapping, climate scientists say that, even if the pledges are fully honored, earth will still likely be on track for temperatures exceeding safe limits.
Fabius had said he wanted the accord to be concluded Friday, but had to give the negotiators more time.
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India today hailed the adoption of a landmark climate change deal as a “historic day” which promises a “better future” and creates a “chapter of hope” in the lives of seven billion people.
