Paris Climate agreement irreversible – France

France says the 2015 Paris Agreement on climate change is “irreversible” after United States’ withdrawal from the deal aimed at achieving a low-carbon economy. President Donald Trump announced that the US was leaving for economic reasons, saying the deal would cost American jobs. The Paris agreement commits the US and 194 other countries to keeping […]

France says the 2015 Paris Agreement on climate change is “irreversible” after United States’ withdrawal from the deal aimed at achieving a low-carbon economy.

President Donald Trump announced that the US was leaving for economic reasons, saying the deal would cost American jobs.

The Paris agreement commits the US and 194 other countries to keeping rising global temperatures "well below" 2C above pre-industrial levels and "endeavour to limit" them even more, to 1.5C.

The UN World Meteorological Organisation said on Friday that, in the worst scenario, the US pullout could add 0.3C to global temperatures by the end of the century.

“The momentum generated in December 2015 toward achieving a low-carbon economy is now irreversible and must be intensified, said a statement by French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Jean-Yves Le Drian.

Drian said France is fully committed to the fight against climate disruption, in accordance with the guidelines set out by President Emmanuel Macron. 

He said France and Germany have reached out to other important players in implementing the Paris Agreement to take steps to ensure that this historic agreement is fully implemented.

The minister said France would honour all of its commitments and be even more ambitious, adding “France is working on an action plan and on concrete initiatives, notably in Europe and Africa.”

“I reaffirm the need for solidarity in order to help the most vulnerable countries achieve sustainable development and deal with the consequences of natural disasters.

“We are reaching out to the United States and will propose initiatives to key players who want to implement the Paris Agreement commitments.

“We will support all stakeholder groups arising from COP21 that bring together states, cities, citizens and companies in order to continue the fight against climate disruption all around the world,” the minister said.