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A key UN climate change summit that will be attended by nearly 150 world leaders including Prime Minister Narendra Modi kicks off tomorrow under the shadow of the deadly Paris terror attack to try to craft a long-term deal to limit carbon emissions.
As Modi headed to the French capital setting the tone for the summit with his remark today that it is the responsibility of all to work against global warming, UN chief Ban Ki-moon underlined the need for a durable universal deal to address rising green house gas emissions.
”...In the Summit, we will deliberate on crucial issues relating to environment & climate change,” Modi tweeted just before his departure from India.
Modi also utilised his monthly radio programme ‘Mann Ki Baat’ to say that the whole world is “worried” about climate change.
“There are discussions everywhere over it and concerns are being expressed.... The temperature of the Earth should not increase now. It is the responsibility and concern of all,” he said, as leaders started arriving here for the 12-day summit being held under the shadow of unprecedented security cover after the recent carnage here that killed 130 people.
Besides Modi, other leaders including US President Barack Obama, China’s Xi Jinping and Russia’s Vladimir Putin will attend tomorrow the official start of the UN conference, tasked with reaching the first truly universal climate pact.
The Paris Climate Conference from November 30 to December 11 will, for the first time in over 20 years of UN negotiations, aim to achieve a legally binding and universal agreement on climate, with the aim of keeping global warming below 2degreesC.
Modi will inaugurate the Indian pavilion at the crucial summit.
He will also deliver a speech on India’s stand on the issue and also showcase India’s harmony with nature, environment and commitment to mitigate climate change.
Modi will also jointly launch the International Solar Alliance with French President Francois Hollande tomorrow.
A large number of heads of state, heads of government and ministers of several countries and UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon are expected to be present at the launch of the international solar alliance, a concept conceived by Modi.
“At the @COP21 will inaugurate India Pavilion, showcasing India’s harmony with nature, environment & commitment to mitigate climate change,” he tweeted.
The gathering of nearly 150 heads of state and government is set to be far bigger than the 115 or so who came to Copenhagen in 2009, the last time the world came close to agreeing a long term deal on climate change.
“I expect the world to conclude a universal climate agreement in Paris. The agreement must be durable — it should provide a comprehensive, long—term vision of the opportunities created by low—emission, climate—resilient development and flexible. It must be rooted in solidarity,” Ban told PTI.
As observers said the recent terror attack here will increase the chances of a new agreement, thousands of protesters joined hands near the heart of the carnage, demanding world leaders try to save Earth from a climate catastrophe.
The human chain was aimed to send a highly symbolic message to leaders on the eve of the official opening of the 195-nation UN climate summit.
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