EU commits to seeing Paris Agreement on Climate Change implemented

The European Union (EU) says it is building “strong global alliances” to ensure that the Paris Agreement is implemented, following the United States’ President’s decision to step back.

This was stated by High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Federica Mogherini on Monday morning (June 19, 2017) ahead of the Foreign Affairs Council.

Mogherini said combatting climate change is a question of security, not a luxury.

The EU “deeply regrets the unilateral decision by the United States Administration to withdraw from the Paris Agreement” and welcomes the strong show of support for the deal by other countries around the world, a statement from the EU delegation to Guyana said.

It notes that at Council Conclusions adopted in Luxembourg, EU foreign affairs ministers stated that the Paris agreement is “fit for purpose and cannot be renegotiated.”

“The European Union and its Member States remain united and absolutely committed to full and swift implementation of the Paris Agreement”, read the Conclusions, recalling also “the particular responsibility of major economies, accounting for some 80% of global emissions” to deliver on “our collective responsibility towards the entire planet, for this and future generations”.

“The world can continue to count on the EU for leadership in the global fight against climate change”, the ministers affirmed, noting the EU’s commitment to mobilise its share of the USD 100 billion per year for climate action in developing countries by 2020 as well as its quest to build and strengthen partnerships to combat climate change, including with a variety of stakeholders in the US.

“We see in the United States many, from businesses to local authorities, who are determined to live up to the commitments taken in Paris,” noted Mogherini, adding that the EU would support all those international partners who understand the reality and priority of tackling climate change.

Guyana’s Minister of State, Joseph Harmon on Friday, June 02, 2017, reaffirmed Guyana’s commitment to the Paris Agreement. He noted that the US is a major contributor to international agreements such as the Paris Agreement, however, he expressed confidence that countries can mitigate the impact of this withdrawal.

“We believe the force of global push in this regard will see us overcoming the effects of a withdrawal of the United States of America from this process,” Minister Harmon said.

The Minister added that going forward the international community will now have to “regroup and have a fresh look” as it relates to their commitments under the Paris Agreement.

The Paris Agreement is an agreement within the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) dealing with greenhouse gas emissions mitigation, adaptation and finance – which majority of the countries in the world had signed.