Bangkok climate conference sounds Paris Agreement alarm
United Nations experts warn time is running out to save global pact addressing impact of climate change as rich nations are accused of shirking responsibility
The six-day Bangkok Climate Change Conference opened with an urgent plea from delegates to finalise a “rule book” governing the Paris Agreement, the most ambitious global pact yet, to address the impacts of climate change.
If nations cannot reach an agreement by a December summit in Poland – known as COP24 – the Paris Agreement, carved out in 2015, will be at risk.
“The credibility of the process … is at stake,” Michal Kurtyka, president designate of COP24, said at the opening of Tuesday’s meeting.
“We are not moving as swiftly as we can,” he added. “We need concrete propositions and solutions now.”
Money is at the heart of issue. The Paris Agreement has promised US$100 billion annually from 2020 to poor nations already coping with floods, heatwaves, rising sea levels and superstorms made worse by climate change.
