Chinese and European Union leaders are set to release a joint statement stressing the vital importance of sticking to the goals set out in the Paris Climate Accord, despite the possibility of the Trump climate change agenda working against it.
U.S. President Donald Trump reportedly is considering withdrawing America from the pact.
President Trump on Saturday refused to join leaders of G7 nations in reaffirming his commitment to the accord, instead tweeting,
“I will be announcing my decision on the Paris Accord over the next few days. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!”
A decision to pull out of the pact would put the U.S. outside the tent, alongside Nicaragua and Syria, as the only countries to have not ratified the treaty.
Statement calls on nations to implement all aspects of Paris Accord
In a draft document of the statement, obtained by the BBC, Chinese and EU leaders underline the dangers posed by rising global temperatures and urge signatories to exercise political will to implement every aspect of the climate deal.
“The EU and China consider the Paris agreement as an historic achievement further accelerating the irreversible global low greenhouse gas emission and climate resilient development,” the draft document says.
“The Paris Agreement is proof that with shared political will and mutual trust, multilateralism can succeed in building fair and effective solutions to the most critical global problems of our time. The EU and China underline their highest political commitment to the effective implementation of the Paris Agreement in all its aspects.”
“The world is a mess, all countries must stay the course” – UN Chief
Speaking at the New York University Stern School of Business this week, UN chief António Guterres repeated that the science of human-induced climate change was undeniable and said world leaders had a “moral imperative” to take action.
“The message is simple: the sustainability train has left the station. Get on board or get left behind.” Mr Guterres said.
“But if any government doubts the global will and need for this accord, that is reason for all others to unite even stronger and stay the course.”
Trump climate change stance challenges US society as a whole
He told audience members it was important the U.S. not leave the Paris Accord, but that should Mr Trump does leave, it was vital U.S. society as a whole – the cities, the states, the companies, the businesses – remain engaged.
