World leaders commit to combat climate change
World leaders at the 22nd Session of the Conference of the Parties (COP) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change have pledged their commitment to combat climate change.
In a release copied to ghanabusinessnews.com, the President of COP22, who is also the Foreign Minister of Morocco, Salaheddine Mezouar introduced the document to the plenary on the evening of 17 November.
It said the proclamation calls for the highest political commitment to combat climate change”, reinforces the urgency of implementation, action and increased ambition in the fight against global temperature rise.
It also mentioned that the proclamation acknowledges the global momentum on climate change and underscores the need to speed up the pace in a cooperative and collaborative manner among all stakeholders taking into account the special needs and circumstances of developing countries and the most vulnerable.
The press release further indicated that developed nations reaffirmed the commitment to mobilize the finance goal of USD $100 billion for developing countries, explaining that the implementation, including financing, has been a point of pressure and developed countries have been urged not to ignore their commitments under the Kyoto Protocol, which ends in 2020, now that the Paris Agreement had come into existence.
For Africa, the major issues related to finance include: How to ensure full implementation of existing Convention finance commitments and avoid shifting of responsibility towards the private sector or to developing countries under the new agreement; the need for a clear pathway for finance between now and 2020; and capitalization of the Green Climate Fund and easing access to the funds. In addition, efforts are required to ensure finance to enable the preparation of Intended Nationally Determined Contributions by developing countries, the release explained.
ECA’s Africa Climate Policy Center (ACPC), Acting Coordinator James Murombedzi, was cited in the release as saying “The commitment of all parties to reducing global warming is acknowledged. However, climate change is a serious and urgent issue for Africa and putting the commitments to action is paramount going forward.”
As part of the proclamation, the heads of states and other leaders concluded that “ We now turn towards implementation and action, we reiterate our resolve to inspire solidarity, hope and opportunity for current and future generations.”
Pamela Ofori-Boateng