Climate talks convene amid doubt over US engagement

Heads of state and government will address delegates at UN climate talks in Marrakesh, amid continued concern over the impact of the US election outcome.

Marrakesh - Dozens of heads of state and government were scheduled to address delegates at UN climate talks in Marrakesh on Tuesday, amid continued concern over the impact of the US election outcome.

Real estate mogul and US president-elect Donald Trump has dismissed global warming as a “hoax” concocted by China and promised to “cancel” US involvement in a global agreement adopted in Paris last year to keep the planet’s temperature increases below 2 degrees Celsius.

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon told reporters in Marrakesh that he had spoken with the president-elect, expressing confidence that once Trump takes office he will understand the urgency of the potential catastrophe and re-evaluate his campaign remarks.

“I believe that he understands that there are market forces already at work on this issue, and that we need to harness these forces for good of the planet and all the species in this planet,” Ban said, pointing to Trump’s record in business.

The head of the US delegation, Jonathan Pershing, also tried to quell concerns earlier in the week, underscoring current US President Barack Obama’s commitment to fighting climate change. But he added that the Trump transition team had not yet been in touch on the issue.

Noting that China said it would move forward with the Paris Agreement, Pershing said, “it doesn’t surprise me. Frankly the deal was struck on the basis of national circumstances and agreements by nations of activities in their interests. Of course they are going to move forward.”

Delegates from many countries and the European Union have reiterated their support for continued climate action, and their intention to fulfill the emissions reductions plans they published as part of the Paris Agreement. Germany’s Environment Minister Barbara Hendricks said she saw a particular responsibility for Europe following Trump’s election.

“I am strongly convinced that Europe must fill the gaps that the US is now leaving behind,” Hendricks said. “We as Europe must find close collaboration with China.”

Global carbon emissions over the past three years have remained largely steady after increasing over the first part of the century, according to a study released earlier this week. Much of the slowing in emissions growth is due to reduced emissions from China and a rollback in coal production in the US.

At the same time, the World Meteorological Organisation has said that data points to 2016 being the warmest year for the planet on record.

With the Earth warming and extreme weather events increasing, Pope Francis called on the international community to follow up on the Paris Agreement, saying the world has a “serious ethical and moral responsibility” to fight climate change.

“The Paris Agreement has set a clear road on which the entire international community is called to commit; the [Marrakesh meeting] represents a key step in this path,” Francis, a well-known climate campaigner, said.

“All of humanity, particularly the poorest and future generations” depend on urgent action to limit climate change, he said.

SAPA-dpa