Paris climate pact irreversible, say 197 nations

Nearly 200 nations on Friday reaffirmed their political commitment to a global climate deal that is 'irreversible' at the ongoing UN climate talks that were mostly overshadowed by US President-elect Donald Trump's comments to cut off funding to climate change programmes.

"We call for the highest political commitment to combat climate change, as a matter of urgent priority," 197 parties to the UN's climate convention stated in the Marrakesh Action Proclamation issued on the penultimate day of the UN climate talks here.

"Our climate is warming at an alarming and unprecedented rate and w e have an urgent duty to respond," it said.

"Indeed, this year, we have seen extraordinary momentum on climate change worldwide, and in many multilateral fora.

"This momentum is irreversible - it's being driven not only by governments, but by science, business and global action of all types at all levels," they said.

"Our task now is to rapidly build on that momentum, together, moving forward purposefully to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and to foster adaptation efforts, thereby benefiting and supporting the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its Sustainable Development Goals," the nations said.

The parties -- 196 nations and the European Union bloc -- also called for an increase in the volume, flow and access to finance for climate projects, alongside improved capacity and technology, including from developed to developing countries.

The developed countries also reaffirmed their $100 billion mobilisation goal.

The countries, both developed and developing, unanimously called for further climate action and support, well in advance of 2020, taking into account the specific needs and special circumstances of developing countries, the least developed countries and those particularly vulnerable to the adverse impacts of climate change.

It also talked about an increase in the volume, flow and access to finance for climate projects, alongside improved capacity and technology, including from developed to developing countries.

The proclamation also showed solidarity with the countries most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change.

The Paris Agreement aims to limit average global warming to 2 degrees Celsius by cutting greenhouse gases from burning fossil fuels.

With announcement of Britain, it becomes the 111th country to ratify the Paris Agreement that came into force on November 4 when more than 55 countries as well as countries representing more than 55 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions ratified the deal.

Trump has called climate change a "hoax" and vowed to cut o ff funding to United Nations climate change programmes.

He also said he would reduce the US involvement in the Paris climate accord .

(Vishal Gulati is in Marrakech at the invitation of the Global Editors Network to cover COP22. He can be contacted at vishal.g@ians.in)

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