French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius, seen here on June 27, on Saturday announced a final draft of the world climate talks Saturday. Photo by David Silpa/UPI |
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PARIS, Dec. 12 (UPI) -- Delegates from the 21st Conference of Parties, or COP21, formally accepted the final draft of a climate accord Saturday after two weeks of negotiations at the United Nations summit.
French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius said the final draft the of global climate accord is "fair" and "legally binding," aimed at keeping the rise in global temperatures below 3.6 degrees Fahrenheit until the end of this century. Under the draft, emissions pledges will have to be revised every five years. The responsibilities of developing nations are also outlined, said Fabius, who has presided over the talks.
Scientists and world leaders said it represents the last, best chance of striking a worldwide deal to put the brakes on global warming. The proposals will be handed over to world leaders Saturday for review.
"Today we are close to the final outcome. It is my deep conviction we have come up with an ambitious and balanced agreement," Fabius said.
United Nations Secretary Ban Ki-moon said there is "No Plan B" if the deal falls apart. Those words were emblazoned on the Eiffel Tower on Saturday.
"The world is holding its breath and counting on all of us," Fabius said. He received a standing ovation after his speech.
The agreement was hailed as a milestone in the fight against climate change by leaders around the world.
"A month ago tomorrow, Paris was the victim of the deadliest terror attack in Europe for more than a decade," British Prime Minister David Cameron wrote in a post to Facebook. "Today, it has played host to one of the most positive global steps in history."
Though almost every country in the world signed the Paris agreement, nations still have to take the terms of the agreement back home and convince their national governments to accept and approve the accord. After that, it's a matter of following through and holding each nation accountable.
"Today, we celebrate," said Miguel Arias Canete, the European Union's commissioner for energy and climate action. "Tomorrow, we have to act. This is what the world expects of us."
As the New York Times reports, scientists who have reviewed the accord's language say the promises may do about half as much as is needed to stave off the 3.6-degree threshold.
But optimists say the agreement at least gets the ball rolling, and when delegates meet again in 2020, newer, more aggressive emissions-curtailing plans may be proposed.
