G20 Hamburg: Leaders fail to bridge Trump climate chasm
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By Paul Homewood
From the BBC:
Leaders of 19 nations at the G20 summit in Germany have renewed their pledge to implement the Paris deal on climate change, despite the US pulling out.
Deadlock over the issue had held up the last day of talks in Hamburg but a final agreement was eventually reached.
It acknowledges President Donald Trump’s withdrawal from the Paris climate agreement without undermining the commitment of other countries.
The compromise comes after violent protests in the host city.
The joint summit statement released on Saturday said: “We take note of the decision of the United States of America to withdraw from the Paris Agreement.”
However, the leaders of the other G20 members agreed the accord committing nations to restrict global temperature increases was “irreversible”.
In her closing news conference, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said she still deplored Mr Trump’s position on the Paris accord but she was “gratified” the other 19 nations opposed its renegotiation.
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As Robin Guenier commented:
“Well, the Hamburg meeting is over and the “G20 Leaders’ Declaration” has been published:
Regarding the US withdrawal from the Paris Agreement it says this:
We take note of the decision of the United States of America to withdraw from the Paris Agreement. The United States of America announced it will immediately cease the implementation of its current nationally-determined contribution and affirms its strong commitment to an approach that lowers emissions while supporting economic growth and improving energy security needs.
And goes on to say:
The Leaders of the other G20 members state that the Paris Agreement is irreversible. We reiterate the importance of fulfilling the UNFCCC commitment by developed countries in providing means of implementation including financial resources to assist developing countries … We reaffirm our strong commitment to the Paris Agreement, moving swiftly towards its full implementation in accordance with the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities, in the light of different national circumstances…
In other words, following the US withdrawal, there will be no renegotiation and Canada, Australia and Europe will bear the entire burden of emission reduction and funding transfer while powerful “developing” countries are let completely off the hook.
That Western governments should willingly put their heads in this noose is beyond comprehension.”
Robin is right. It is a very sobering thought that the rump of countries left fighting the fight, ie the EU, Canada and Australia only emit 11.3% of the world’s CO2, according to CDIAC data.
Russia and Japan are the only other Annex 1 countries in the G20 (ie developed), and they contribute another 8%. However both nations have made it abundantly clear that they are not serious about cutting emissions.
Which all leaves the EU hopelessly exposed.
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July 9, 2017 at 05:21PM
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