{"id":67643,"date":"2015-12-14T12:04:50","date_gmt":"2015-12-14T12:04:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/?p=67643"},"modified":"2015-12-13T14:55:49","modified_gmt":"2015-12-13T14:55:49","slug":"world-leaders-agree-to-historic-global-climate-agreement","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/2015\/12\/world-leaders-agree-to-historic-global-climate-agreement\/","title":{"rendered":"World Leaders Agree to Historic Global Climate Agreement"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Stefanie<\/a>12 Dec 2015 – <\/em>World leaders from 195 countries adopted an historic international climate accord<\/a> Saturday [12 Dec] in Paris. The 31-page pact, which comes after two weeks of negotiations at the COP21<\/a> climate summit, is the first-ever agreement that commits almost every country in the world to fight climate change<\/a>.<\/p>\n

https:\/\/twitter.com\/UNFCCC\/status\/675788730783797249\/photo\/1?ref_src=twsrc^tfw<\/p>\n

Though the deal does not have binding language, a mechanism to force countries to cut greenhouse gases emissions as promised or provide money for developing nations to cope with the effects of a warming world, leaders and the environmental movement lauded the United Nations agreement as having the potential to stave off the worst expected effects of global warming and a turning point away from fossil fuels.<\/p>\n

The deal includes an agreement to limit global warming to below 2 degrees Celsius, with an aim of 1.5 degrees, to achieve climate \u201cneutrality,\u201d which requires phasing out fossil fuels soon after mid-century.<\/p>\n

According to the\u00a0United Nations Environmental Programme Executive Director Achim Steiner:<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Paris Agreement is probably the most important international agreement in history. Nations of the world have underlined that climate change is a threat to the security and prosperity of all societies, and can only be addressed through unity of purpose. A sustainable future benefits all of humanity.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cThis agreement is a testament to the ability of our societies to set aside differences and confront collective challenges for the global good. Importantly, the agreement has provisions to protect the most vulnerable. Fairness and equity are at the heart of this accord.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cGovernments have sent a signal to the private sector that the momentum toward sustainability cannot be stopped. This is what the world needed to see.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cAbove all, we have given future generations hope instead of doom and gloom.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cNow that negotiations have concluded, our work continues. We must focus on implementing the solutions that drive an inclusive green economy, including renewable energy, green finance initiatives, and sustainability in transport, construction and other sectors.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cHowever, in the days after Paris, we can reflect on the incredible progress we\u2019ve made in only 23 short years. This is progress through compromise that the entire world can celebrate. Climate change creates enormous problems for our planet. But by bringing the world together it has driven cooperation and collective action on a scale few would have imagined possible a year ago.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cI congratulate Executive Secretary Christiana Figueres, Minister Fabius, all governments and civil society for their hard work, determination, and commitment to a future that puts the planet and its peoples first.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Former Vice President of the U.S. and chairman of The Climate Reality Project, Al Gore, who participated in many events at COP21, said, \u201cToday, the nations of the world concluded a bold and historic agreement, clearly demonstrating that the global community is speaking with one voice to solve the climate crisis. Years from now, our grandchildren will reflect on humanity\u2019s moral courage to solve the climate crisis and they will look to December 12, 2015, as the day when the community of nations finally made the decision to act.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Today, the nations of the world concluded a bold and historic agreement. https:\/\/t.co\/ysgJAccObh<\/a> #COP21<\/a><\/p>\n

— Al Gore (@algore) December 12, 2015<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n