US climate envoy, John Kerry has described the global climate crisis as an “unbelievable monument to the need for multilateralism” and urged China to “assume responsibility” for its part in global warming.
The climate envoy also declared that “failure is not an option”;when it comes to fulfilling the aims of the Paris Agreement in 2016.
Kerry, America’s first ever climate envoy, signed the Paris Agreement in 2016 on behalf of the US. The accord is a legally-binding international treaty, adopted by 197 countries at a summit in the French capital,;with a goal of limiting global warming to well below 20C,;and preferably 1.50C, compared to pre-industrial levels.
Former US President, Donald Trump pulled America out of the agreement during his term in office. However, the current commander-in-chief, Joe Biden, re-joined the agreement as one of his first acts in office earlier this year.
Speaking to reporters ahead of a visit to China, Kerry revealed he has had regular talks with his Chinese counterpart on the issue.
“This is not a moment where any nation cannot step up to raise the ambition that Paris envisioned.”
“We recognize that China, with nearly 30% of the world’s emissions, is essential to resolving this crisis;and our hopes are that China is prepared to assume responsibility – as we are, and as other nations are.
“No one country, no one entity, like the EU, can solve the problem. This is an unbelievable monument – the climate crisis – to the need for multilateralism.”
COP26 “last, best opportunity to get real” on climate change
John Kerry has also described the upcoming COP26 climate conference being hosted by the UK in Glasgow in November as the world’s “last, best opportunity to get real” on climate change.
Globally, there needs to be a 45% reduction in emissions over the next 10 years to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees above pre-industrial levels. However, according to officials, the world is currently not on track to meet that.
Pointing out that almost no nation in the world is meeting its targets to tackle climate change, Kerry called on countries to step up their ambition on reducing emissions.
“Science is coming back at us stronger, harder, bigger, faster. It’s essential we raise ambition.
“We make Glasgow the next step in divining not what we’re willing to do but what we really need to do in order to be able to get the job done.”
The COP26 President, Alok Sharma also intimated earlier that that the world is a long way off meeting the Paris goals.
He urged governments around the world to “act now” to “seize the opportunities presented by green recovery.”
“Action is essential. A key goal of the UK’s COP26 presidency is building up international collaboration particularly around clean power, clean transport and nature and getting finance flowing particularly to developing countries.
“All governments need to develop ambitious adaptation plans and emissions reduction targets and place them at the heart of national investment strategies.”
The COP26 President also urged the World Bank to step up support to countries transitioning away from fossil fuels.
Read Also: Covid-19 amplifies the need for transparency for SOEs in the extractive sector
