AMN
UN Secretary General, Antonio Guterres has expressed disappointment on the United States’ decision to withdraw from the Paris Agreement on climate change.
Guterres said in a statement that the US decision is a major disappointment for global efforts to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions and promote international security.
The statement said, UN Chief remains confident that US cities, states and businesses will continue to demonstrate vision and leadership by working for the low-carbon, resilient economic growth that will create quality jobs and markets for 21st century prosperity.
The statement also says it is crucial that the US remains a leader on environmental issues.
Meanwhile, UN has announced that it will hold its 2018 UN Climate Change Conference in Katowice, a Polish city in the heart of a coal-producing region that is one of the most polluted areas in all of Europe.
The announcment was made yesterday during a meeting in Tuczno, Poland, between Polish Environment Minister Jan Szysko and Patricia Espinosa, the executive secretary of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.
There has been widespread international condemnation of President Trump’s announcement. Describing the carbon curbing accord as a vital tool for the planet, the societies and the economies, Europe’s three biggest economies – Germany, France and Italy said in a joint statement that the agreement cannot be renegotiated.
Canadian Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau said he is inspired by the growing momentum around the world to combat climate change and transition to clean growth economies.
British Prime Minister, Theresa May said, the climate accord is a safety net for future generations. Fiji’s Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama, who will serve as President of UN climate talks in Germany later this year, said the announcement deeply disappointing.
Australia’s Environment and Energy Minister, Josh Frydenberg said the agreement is meaningful even without Washington’s participation.
Mexican ministers said the world has a moral imperative to live up to the commitments made in the Paris climate pact, while Brazil’s foreign ministry said it is concerned and disappointed by Washington’s move. New Zealand, Japan, Venezuela and Argentina also denounced the decision.
The Paris agreement commits the US and 187 other countries to keeping rising global temperatures well below 2 degree Celcius above pre-industrial levels and endeavour to limit them even more, to 1.5 degree Celcius.