DPA/New York
Vows to tackle climate change, commitments to meet emission reduction targets and promises of financial assistance were thick on the ground yesterday as world leaders met at the UN Climate Summit.
The summit was convened by UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon to build political momentum toward the 2015 climate summit in Paris, where a comprehensive deal is to be decided.
Rising Earth temperature is blamed on carbon emissions, which continue to increase despite global efforts to burn fewer fossil fuels and use more renewable energy.
The world has never before faced a global challenge like global warming, Ban warned.
“Climate change threatens hard-won peace, prosperity and opportunity for billions of people,” Ban said. “Today we must set the world on a new course.”
He urged governments and private institutions to invest in reducing greenhouse gasses, urged putting a price on them, and was pleased with yesterday’s commitments.
“Change is in the air, the race is on and you are leading by example,” Ban said. “The morning has shown the promise that the rest of the day holds and the promise of our future.”
US President Barack Obama was among 120 world leaders present, a record for such a meeting. He stressed the need for international co-operation.
Obama said he had talked to Chinese Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli just minutes before, and called on China to partner with the US to reduce the effects of climate change.
“I reiterated my belief that as the two largest economies and emitters of the world, we have a special responsibility to lead,” Obama said. “That’s what big nations have to do. And today I call on all countries to join us.”
The US never joined the Kyoto Protocol that expired in 2012, insisting that developing countries like China - now the world’s largest producer of carbon dioxide - must also commit to cutting back on greenhouse gasses.
As part of its new climate policy, the US will focus on helping vulnerable populations adapt to global warming, Obama said.
While the president of China did not attend, his deputy Zhang announced his country will provide financial help to developing countries to tackle climate change.
Zhang said China will double its annual financial contributions to establish a South-South partnership fund and will give $6mn to a fund set up by Ban to assist developing nations.
The vice premier said China supports a climate agreement, but stressed that it must be based on a UN framework that upholds the principles of common but differentiated responsibilities and capabilities - a formal phrase that means lenience for developing nations.
“China is ready to work with other countries, shoulder responsibilities and build a better future for mankind,” Zhang said.
The European Union plans to distribute 3bn euros ($3.85bn) to developing countries over seven years to promote development of sustainable energy.
“Support to the most vulnerable parts of the global community is critical,” said Jose Manuel Barroso, president of the European Commission.
Barroso encouraged European leaders to agree on an “ambitious” proposal by the European Commission, which includes a target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 40% by 2030 compared with 1990 levels, and to increase renewable energy by at least 27%.
French President Francois Hollande said his country will contribute $1bn to the Green Climate Fund, set up by the UN to channel money to developing nations.
South Korea and Denmark made new contributions to the fund, while other countries pledged to meet the fund’s target of $100bn a year.
Iranian President Hassan Rohani called for regional and global co-operation, stressing that Iran was willing to partner with other countries. He said the international sanctions against Iran hinder his country’s efforts to offset climate change.