Georgetown: As the world celebrates Climate Diplomacy Day today, there is much anticipation surrounding the Global Climate Change deal that is expected to be formulated in Paris later this year and Guyana is being urged to ensure that it participates in the programme.
Head of the European Union Delegation in Guyana, Ambassador Robert Kopecký, in a statement underscored the importance of addressing the challenge of global climate change given its disastrous consequences.
According to the Ambassador, the issue of climate change is one of European Union’s key priorities and the EU is said to be one of the world’s strongest proponents of ambitious global climate actions. He noted that 2015 is a crucial year for climate as the international community prepares to adopt a new global climate deal that will be made in Paris this December.
“All countries are expected to come forward with their emissions reduction contributions well in advance of the Paris conference to enable us to jointly design and agree a robust and dynamic deal capable of keeping the global temperature rise below two degrees Celsius.
All countries in the world will have to play their part in ensuring that a fair, ambitious and legally binding international agreement can be reached in Paris.
We can accomplish much more together than we can individually – nowhere is this clearer than in the area of climate change,” he stated.
The Head of the EU Delegation posited that the agreement needs to respond to today’s reality and be fit for the future. He further detailed that the contributions that each countries make should be as ambitious as possible given their respective responsibilities and capabilities.
In this regard, Ambassador Kopecký pointed out that the EU has already shown strong leadership with EU leaders agreeing on a binding target of at least 40 per cent emissions reduction in greenhouse gases by 2030.
“The EU is a world-leading contributor of climate finance to developing countries – the urgency of the climate change challenge means that significant financial resources will continue to play a key role in promoting action both to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to the consequences of climate change within the broader context of sustainable development. It is clear that the Paris deal must also deliver on challenges other than reducing emissions.
We need to be ready to support those most vulnerable to climate change and with least means to cope with its negative consequences. We also need to secure relevant provisions to increase cooperation in the area of adapting to climate change.
The EU is fully committed to doing its part and counts on the continued cooperation and collaboration of its international partners, including Guyana, to reach a successful conclusion in Paris,” the Ambassador outlined.
Furthermore, he highlighted that climate change is a particularly important issue not only for Guyana but the Caribbean region, as such, he urged Guyana to follow the EU’s lead by intensifying domestic preparations to put their intended emissions reduction contribution forward as soon as possible.
Ambassador Kopecký noted that this will be important to build confidence, among all that the Paris agreement can deliver what is needed. Only a critical mass of ambitious contributions as early as possible will demonstrate the seriousness of our collective efforts, he added.
In addition, the EU Delegation head urges the timely delivery of the each country’s contributions, noting it is vital for the credibility of the negotiations demonstrating political willingness of all to act on climate change.
An effective deal in Paris will not be credible if only a few have proven their resolve to act in future he said while adding it is a historic opportunity that countries cannot afford to miss.
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