Will Paris Signal A Sunnier Climate for Low Carbon Economics?

On Monday, the United Nations Climate Change Conference will begin in Paris.

Among the issues that are likely to be discussed during the upcoming COP21 conference in Paris, there is none more contentious than that of the availability of climate funds for poor and vulnerable nations. “We should all be very proud that Boulder’s voice garners global attention”.

“The issue of climate change is the result of historical emissions by developed countries, and the responsibilities and obligations of developed and developing countries should be differentiated”, he added.

He said the US “wants to send a clear signal” in meetings with China, India and France that it will be working with the “key players” for a strong global agreement on climate change.

World leaders must “look beyond national horizons” to secure a “meaningful climate agreement” at U.N. talks in Paris next week, U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said Thursday.

In effect, the United Nations process provides a “stage” for countries to make commitments – and to step up their efforts.

Earlier, China promised to cap CO2 emissions by 2030 and cut carbon intensity by about two-third from 2005 levels. Countries are offering their own targets, or intended nationally determined contributions (INDCs).

Ministers will be advised to accept the targets by the committee, which is the statutory adviser to the government under the Climate Change Act. Low-carbon options in the power sector are important to support emissions reduction in other sectors, such as transport and heating, as well as to reduce emissions from the power sector itself.

The November 30 huddle in the French capital, still reeling from November 13 jihadist attacks which claimed 130 lives, will draw “more than 150 heads of state and government”, the French cabinet said in a statement.

Meantime, BC Senator Nancy Green Raine is among those concerned the zeal some politicians have to be seen to be protecting the world risks bending our economy out of shape, and could lead to summit promises which will have unnecessary and negative economic impact. China and India still refuse to reduce their emissions until they pull more of their people out of poverty, but during the past year both governments have pledged to use energy more efficiently and generate a substantial share of their energy from renewable sources like solar and wind by 2030.

“Dealing with climate change is an inevitable road that we need to take to achieve sustainable development”, he said. In 2009, climate talks in Copenhagen stalled over disagreements between developed and developing countries over how the burden of cuts should be distributed. Under the fourth carbon budget, from 2023-27, emissions must fall by 52%.