Kina, Indien, EU og de fattigste lande holder fast i stærk global klimaindsats

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Thomas Jazrawi

Der er stadig bred opbakning til den globale klimaaftale – Paris-aftalen – der blev indgået i den franske hovedstad i 2015.

Det til trods for, at den amerikansk præsident Donald Trump torsdag i en tale bekendtgjorde, at USA vil forlade pagten, som stort set alle verdens nationer er en del af. 

Det er således kun Nicaragua og Syrien, der indtil torsdag ikke var en del af aftalen. USAs udmelding har endnu ikke fået andre nationer til at vakle. 

Der er derimod kommet et væld af støtteerklæringer til Paris-aftalen efter den amerikanske exit. 

Kina holder fast

Den kinesiske præsident Xi Jinping har ved flere lejligheder nævnt, at Kina står fast ved den globale klimaindsats. 

Det samme gjorde Kinas premierminister Li Keqiang ved et stort topmøde mellem EU og Kina i sidste uge. 

"The Paris Agreement represents the broadest consensus of the international community. All parties need to jointly safeguard this hard-won outcome and work for its effective implementation. China always stands by its words".

Indisk troskab

Det samme gælder Indien. Den indiske premierminister Narendra Modi lovede også fuld troskab til den internationale aftale ved et møde med den nyvalgte franske præsident Emmanuel Macron. 

Det lyder således i en gengivelse på den indiske premierministers hjemmeside: 

"The Prime Minister described the Paris Climate agreement as a shared heritage of the whole world, and this generation’s contribution to the hope of future generations of mankind. He said it is our collective responsibility to save Mother Earth".

"Describing the city of Paris as an important part of his political journey, the Prime Minister said India and France had worked shoulder to shoulder for this agreement." 

"The Prime Minister described protection of environment as an article of faith for Indians, and a centuries old tradition. He said India is committed to the accord, and even beyond it, India will work and walk together with others to leave a gift for the future generations."

Klimahandling fra EU og 79 afrikanske og caribiske lande

EU er naturligvis også blandt landene, der holder fast i Paris-aftalen. Det følgende er en fælleserklæring fra EU og 79 afrikanske og caribiske lande: 

The 28 EU and 79 ACP countries reiterate that strong global action is imperative to accelerate reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, prevent negative impacts of climate change and ensure we collectively deliver on the long term goals of the Paris Agreement.

In the run-up to the next UN climate conference in November this year (COP23), the ACP and EU will work together towards implementation of the Paris Agreement, particularly addressing the challenges faced by the most vulnerable nations, including Small Island Developing States, Least Developed Countries, land-locked countries and coastal countries.

Urge all to move forward

The ACP and EU urge all parties and stakeholders to move forward with the economy-wide low-carbon transition needed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and ensure all nations have the support they need for implementation, so that nobody is left behind.

European Commissioner for Climate Action and Energy Miguel Arias Cañete said: 

“Fighting climate change is not a zero-sum game. It is a win-win-win for people, business and the planet. We, developed and developing countries together, will forge ahead on putting our Paris commitments into practice and reaping the benefits of building future-proof societies glued together by global solidarity.” 

ACP Secretary General Patrick Gomes said: 

“The Paris Agreement is an unprecedented global effort to build a more sustainable future for us all. The ACP Group and the EU continue to defend and strengthen this partnership. We call on the global community to maintain and step up its efforts to secure the future of our planet.”

Mindst udviklede lande er skuffede – men fortsætter klimaindsatsen

Gruppen af mindst udviklede lande (Least Developed Countries – LDC's) tager imod USAs udmelding med skuffelse, men vil fortsætte kampen for den internationale klimaindsats. Det fremgår af en pressemeddelelse. 

Following President Trump's announcement of his intention to withdraw the US from the Paris Agreement on climate change, the Least Developed Countries (LDC) group, representing nearly one billion people in the 48 poorest countries in the world, expressed disappointment in the decision but emphasised that global climate momentum will continue with or without the US.

Chair of the LDC group, Mr. Gebru Jember Endalew, said:

"It is deeply disappointing to see the US shirking its responsibilities as a member of the global community. We are already seeing the impacts of climate change with record droughts, flooding and heat waves recently faced around the world." 

"For LDCs the impacts are especially devastating; as the poorest countries in the world we are highly vulnerable but the least capable to respond to the threat of climate change. By refusing to commit to ambitious action on climate change President Trump is showing disregard for the lives of millions around the world."

Wave of momentum

"In Paris the world united with a call for climate action and the wave of momentum now behind the Agreement cannot be slowed by one country deciding to sit on the sidelines".

"Many countries have taken up the mantle of global climate leadership through ambitious climate policies and innovation, and the US has lost a seat at this table."

"The international community won't wait for the US to catch up. Transformations in technology, consumption patterns and demand for clean, green innovations are charging ahead of political will around the world." 

"Countries are learning that taking advantage of these innovations is not only smart for the climate, but smart for the economy. Joining the transition to a green economy means embracing business opportunities that are beneficial for all."

"The US is only one country. I urge global leaders not to let President Trump's decision to distract us from the important work we need to do to achieve the vital goals enshrined in the Paris Agreement".

"I also invite President Trump to reconsider his decision. Let us continue to work together to build a safe world for present and future generations."