World leaders welcome historic climate pact
The deal, which attempts to limit the rise in global temperatures to less than 2C, was approved by all 195 countries at a summit in Paris.
The world leaders led by US President Barack Obama on Sunday welcomed the adoption of a legally-binding pact seeking to limit global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius, calling it a big step forward in securing the planet for future generations.
Lauding the efforts of the negotiators in securing the hard-fought deal, Mr. Obama said the agreement shows what’s possible when nations stand together.
“This agreement represents the best chance we’ve had to save the one planet we’ve got. I believe this moment can be a turning point for the world,” Mr. Obama said in an address to the nation from the White House.
“As a result of the climate agreement we can be more confident the Earth will be in better shape,” he said.
French President Francois Hollande termed the day as a great date for the planet.
“In Paris, there have been many revolutions over the centuries. Today it is the most beautiful and the most peaceful revolution that has just been accomplished,” he said.
The deal, which attempts to limit the rise in global temperatures to less than 2C, was approved by all 195 countries at a summit in Paris.
“In the face of an unprecedented challenge, you have demonstrated unprecedented leadership,” the UN Secretary General said taking the CoP21 stage just minutes after the adoption of the agreement.
In a landmark deal, 195 Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change pledged to curb emissions, strengthen resilience and take common climate action.
China termed the pact as “a new beginning in international cooperation”.
The pact is fair in splitting responsibility between developed and developing countries, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hong Lei said.
China’s Special Representative on Climate Change Xie Zhenhua said, “The Paris Climate Conference is a crucial point in the global climate governance process. The outcome has a bearing with the undertaking of climate change of the human being and our future of sustainable development.”
According to Russian envoy at climate talks, the Paris accords show a significant progress in curbing climate issues but the deal requires a serious work on its implementation.
The World Bank welcomed the “historic” agreement, saying it reflects aspiration and seriousness to preserve the planet for future generations.
The World Bank Group is ready to help immediately and will do its utmost to realise this vision of prosperity, he added.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director Christine Lagarde said that the Paris Agreement is a critical step forward for addressing the challenge of global climate change in the 21st century.
The goal of the 2015 Paris Climate Conference, COP21, is to achieve a legally binding, international agreement to keep average global temperatures no more than 2°C above pre-industrial temperatures*
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Source:Thehindu
