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Foreign Minister Says Outcome of Climate Conference in Paris was Positive for Region

By: , January 8, 2016

The Key Point:

Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator the Hon. A. J. Nicholson, says the outcome of the recent Conference of the Parties (COP) 21, held in Paris, France, was a
Foreign Minister Says Outcome of Climate Conference in Paris was Positive for Region
Photo: M. Bell
Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator the Hon. A. J. Nicholson, addresses today's (Jan.8) sitting of the Senate. He was providing an update on the recently concluded Conference of the Parties (COP) 21, which took place in Paris, France, in December, 2015.

The Facts

  • In a Statement to the Senate today (January 8), the Minister argued that the successes of the conference will be materialized when each country play their part in recognizing the Paris Agreement.
  • Jamaica is among 196 countries that adopted the Paris Agreement, which puts the world on track to avoiding dangerous climate change by limiting global warming.

The Full Story

Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator  the Hon. A. J. Nicholson, says the outcome of the recent Conference of the Parties (COP) 21, held in  Paris, France, was a “positive one for Jamaica, for Caricom and for Small Island Developing States, more generally.”

“We were pleased, in particular, to see recognition of the need to endeavour to keep global average temperature below 1.5 degree Celsius above preindustrial levels. This was essential, given that for many island states, climate change is a matter of survival,” the Minister said.

In a Statement  to the Senate today (January 8), the Minister  argued that the successes of the conference will be materialized when each country play their part in recognizing the Paris Agreement.

“The Agreement provides a sound basis for tackling one of the main challenges of our times. However, its implementation requires the effective collaboration and inputs of  Government, the private sector, academia, and civil society,” he said.

The Paris Agreement emphasises that climate change is a threat to human society and that there is a growing need for international collaboration, deep reductions in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, establishment of a framework for the involvement of local communities and people with disabilities, and the empowerment of women, among others.

Additionally, the Minister said the continued recognition of the special circumstances and vulnerabilities of Small Island Developing States was a victory, given that such recognition has come under attack with increased frequency in a range of multilateral fora.

He said mindful of the fact that the implementation of the Agreement will require the mobilization of significant resources, the commitment to provide climate finances of at least US$100 billion each year up to 2020 is a potential game-changer for countries.

The Minister said  climate change is multifaceted and a range of actions will have to be undertaken at the national and local levels if it is to be combated effectively. “The Paris Agreement constitutes a clear statement by the international community that such actions will indeed be taken,” he said.

Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator the Hon. A. J. Nicholson, makes a light comment to Opposition members in the Senate, today (January 8), while providing an update on the recently concluded Conference of the Parties (COP) 21, which took place in Paris, France, in December, 2015. In the background is Government Senator, Lambert Brown.

Senator Nicholson  further noted that  it entails commitments that resources will be provided to support countries that are particularly vulnerable and those with limited means to combat the phenomenon. “It can therefore be rightly considered a milestone agreement in the pantheon of  multilateral agreements,” he said.

Jamaica is among 196 countries that adopted the Paris Agreement, which puts the world on track to avoiding dangerous climate change by limiting global warming.

The COP 21 took place from November 30 to December 12.

Last Updated: January 11, 2016

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