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COP21: Paris climate deal is 'best chance to save planet' | COP21: Paris climate deal is 'best chance to save planet' |
(about 2 hours later) | |
The climate deal reached in Paris is "the best chance we have to save the one planet we have", US President Barack Obama has said. | The climate deal reached in Paris is "the best chance we have to save the one planet we have", US President Barack Obama has said. |
He said it could be a "turning point" towards a low-carbon future. | |
China, the world's biggest polluter, also hailed the deal, as did India. But some campaigners said it did not go far enough to protect the planet. | |
The Paris pact aims to curb global warming to less than 2C (3.6F) by the end of the century. | |
Nearly 200 countries took part in tense negotiations in the French capital over two weeks, striking the first deal to commit all nations to cut emissions. | Nearly 200 countries took part in tense negotiations in the French capital over two weeks, striking the first deal to commit all nations to cut emissions. |
The agreement - which is partly legally binding and partly voluntary - will come into being in 2020. | The agreement - which is partly legally binding and partly voluntary - will come into being in 2020. |
COP21: In summary | COP21: In summary |
What is climate change? | What is climate change? |
'Almost nothing binding' | 'Almost nothing binding' |
Describing the agreement as "ambitious", President Obama said: "Together, we've shown what's possible when the world stands as one." | Describing the agreement as "ambitious", President Obama said: "Together, we've shown what's possible when the world stands as one." |
"In short, this agreement will mean less of the carbon pollution that threatens our planet and more of the jobs and economic growth driven by low-carbon investments." | "In short, this agreement will mean less of the carbon pollution that threatens our planet and more of the jobs and economic growth driven by low-carbon investments." |
However, Mr Obama admitted that the pact was not "perfect". | However, Mr Obama admitted that the pact was not "perfect". |
China's chief negotiator Xie Zhenhua agreed that the Paris plan was not ideal. But he added that "this does not prevent us from marching historical steps forward". | China's chief negotiator Xie Zhenhua agreed that the Paris plan was not ideal. But he added that "this does not prevent us from marching historical steps forward". |
China earlier said rich developed countries needed to offer more financial support to developing countries. | China earlier said rich developed countries needed to offer more financial support to developing countries. |
India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi said there were "no winners or losers". | |
"Climate justice has won and we are all working towards a greener future," he tweeted. | |
Giza Gaspar Martins, the chairman of the group representing some of the world's poorest countries, said: "It is the best outcome we could have hoped for, not just for the Least Developed Countries, but for all citizens of the world," he said. | Giza Gaspar Martins, the chairman of the group representing some of the world's poorest countries, said: "It is the best outcome we could have hoped for, not just for the Least Developed Countries, but for all citizens of the world," he said. |
But Nick Dearden, director of campaign group Global Justice Now, said: "It's outrageous that the deal that's on the table is being spun as a success when it undermines the rights of the world's most vulnerable communities and has almost nothing binding to ensure a safe and liveable climate for future generations." | But Nick Dearden, director of campaign group Global Justice Now, said: "It's outrageous that the deal that's on the table is being spun as a success when it undermines the rights of the world's most vulnerable communities and has almost nothing binding to ensure a safe and liveable climate for future generations." |
An organisation of business leaders that pushes for industry to be more sustainable, WBCSD, said, in a tweet, that the agreement shows "the transition to a low carbon economy is unstoppable". | |
Some aspects of the agreement will be legally binding, such as submitting an emissions reduction target and the regular review of that goal. | Some aspects of the agreement will be legally binding, such as submitting an emissions reduction target and the regular review of that goal. |
However, the targets set by nations will not be binding under the deal struck in Paris. | However, the targets set by nations will not be binding under the deal struck in Paris. |
Key points | Key points |
The measures in the agreement included: | The measures in the agreement included: |
• To peak greenhouse gas emissions as soon as possible and achieve a balance between sources and sinks of greenhouse gases in the second half of this century | • To peak greenhouse gas emissions as soon as possible and achieve a balance between sources and sinks of greenhouse gases in the second half of this century |
• To keep global temperature increase "well below" 2C (3.6F) and to pursue efforts to limit it to 1.5C | • To keep global temperature increase "well below" 2C (3.6F) and to pursue efforts to limit it to 1.5C |
• To review progress every five years | • To review progress every five years |
• $100bn a year in climate finance for developing countries by 2020, with a commitment to further finance in the future. | • $100bn a year in climate finance for developing countries by 2020, with a commitment to further finance in the future. |
Agreement text | |
Analysis: The BBC's Matt McGrath in Paris | Analysis: The BBC's Matt McGrath in Paris |
The speeches and the cliches at the adoption of the Paris Agreement flowed like good champagne - success after all has many fathers! The main emotion is relief. The influence of the COP president, Laurent Fabius, cannot be overstated. His long diplomatic career gave him a credibility seldom matched in this arena. He used his power well. | The speeches and the cliches at the adoption of the Paris Agreement flowed like good champagne - success after all has many fathers! The main emotion is relief. The influence of the COP president, Laurent Fabius, cannot be overstated. His long diplomatic career gave him a credibility seldom matched in this arena. He used his power well. |
The deal that has been agreed, under Mr Fabius, is without parallel in terms of climate change or of the environment. It sets out a clear long-term temperature limit for the planet and a clear way of getting there. There is money for poor countries to adapt, there is a strong review mechanism to increase ambition over time. This is key if the deal is to achieve the aim of keeping warming well below 2C. | The deal that has been agreed, under Mr Fabius, is without parallel in terms of climate change or of the environment. It sets out a clear long-term temperature limit for the planet and a clear way of getting there. There is money for poor countries to adapt, there is a strong review mechanism to increase ambition over time. This is key if the deal is to achieve the aim of keeping warming well below 2C. |
More than anything though the deal signifies a new way for the world to achieve progress - without it costing the Earth. A long term perspective on the way we do sustainability is at the heart of this deal. If it delivers that, it truly will be world changing. | More than anything though the deal signifies a new way for the world to achieve progress - without it costing the Earth. A long term perspective on the way we do sustainability is at the heart of this deal. If it delivers that, it truly will be world changing. |
Read more from Matt McGrath | Read more from Matt McGrath |
Observers say the attempt to impose emissions targets on countries was one of the main reasons why the Copenhagen talks in 2009 failed. | Observers say the attempt to impose emissions targets on countries was one of the main reasons why the Copenhagen talks in 2009 failed. |
At the time, nations including China, India and South Africa were unwilling to sign up to a condition that they felt could hamper economic growth and development. | At the time, nations including China, India and South Africa were unwilling to sign up to a condition that they felt could hamper economic growth and development. |
The latest negotiations managed to avoid such an impasse by developing a system of Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs). | The latest negotiations managed to avoid such an impasse by developing a system of Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs). |
In these, which form the basis of the Paris agreement goal of keeping global temperature rise "well below" 2C above pre-industrial levels, nations outline their plans on cutting their post-2020 emissions. | In these, which form the basis of the Paris agreement goal of keeping global temperature rise "well below" 2C above pre-industrial levels, nations outline their plans on cutting their post-2020 emissions. |
UN climate conference 30 Nov - 11 Dec 2015 | UN climate conference 30 Nov - 11 Dec 2015 |
COP 21 - the 21st session of the Conference of the Parties - will see more than 190 nations gather in Paris to discuss a possible new global agreement on climate change, aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions to avoid the threat of dangerous warming due to human activities. | COP 21 - the 21st session of the Conference of the Parties - will see more than 190 nations gather in Paris to discuss a possible new global agreement on climate change, aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions to avoid the threat of dangerous warming due to human activities. |
Explained: What is climate change? | Explained: What is climate change? |
In video: Why does the Paris conference matter? | In video: Why does the Paris conference matter? |
Analysis: Latest from BBC environment correspondent Matt McGrath | Analysis: Latest from BBC environment correspondent Matt McGrath |
In graphics: Climate change in six charts | In graphics: Climate change in six charts |
More: BBC News special report (or follow the COP21 tag in the BBC News app) | More: BBC News special report (or follow the COP21 tag in the BBC News app) |