Climate action ’urgent, irreversible’, reiterate 197 countries

Marrakech, Nov 18: Nearly 200 tions have reaffirmed their political commitment to a global climate momentum that they say is “urgent” and “irreversible” at the UN climate talks that were mostly overshadowed by US President–elect Dold Trump’s comments to cut off funding to climate change programmes. “We call for the highest political commitment to combat climate change, as a matter of urgent priority,” 197 parties to the UN’s climate convention stated in the Marrakech Action Proclamation, issued on the penultimate day of the UN climate talks here on Thursday night.

“Our climate is warming at an alarming and unprecedented rate, and we have an urgent duty to respond,” it said.

“Indeed, this year, we have seen extraordiry momentum on climate change worldwide, and in many multilateral fora. This momentum is irreversible — it’s being driven not only by governments, but by science, business and global action of all types at all levels,” they said. The parties — 196 tions and the European Union bloc — also called for an increase in the volume, flow and access to fince for climate projects, alongside improved capacity and technology, including from developed to developing countries. The developed countries also reaffirmed their $100 billion mobilisation goal.

The countries unimously called for further climate action and support, well in advance of 2020, taking into account the specific needs and special circumstances of developing countries, the least developed countries and those particularly vulnerable to the adverse impacts of climate change. It also talked about an increase in the volume, flow and access to fince for climate projects, alongside improved capacity and technology, including from developed to developing countries. The proclamation also showed solidarity with the countries most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. The Paris Agreement of 2015 aims to limit average global warming to 2 degrees Celsius by cutting greenhouse gases from burning fossil fuels. (IANS)