The Government of Rwanda has welcomed the adoption of the Paris Agreement on climate change which aims at limiting the increase in global temperatures to below two degrees with the ambition to reach lower than 1.5 degrees Celsius–below pre-industrial levels.

The agreement represents the first ever international commitment to take concrete measures to reduce emissions and help vulnerable countries adapt to the impacts of a changing climate.

Adopted on Saturday last week by 195 nations, the Paris Agreement will unleash action and investment to build a low carbon, climate resilient and sustainable future for all.

The Paris Agreement comes after two weeks of talks in France which were marred by finance related wrangles and how the burden that will be brought about by cutting carbon emissions can be distributed between developed and emerging countries.

In Paris, Rwanda pushed for a robust pact that ensured no country would be left behind in the effort to mitigate climate change and develop green societies and economies.

Appropriate technologies

Commenting on the adoption of the Paris Agreement, the Minister for Natural Resources, Dr Vincent Biruta, said:

"Rwanda is incredibly pleased that the international community has reached an agreement to tackle climate change and support vulnerable nations to adapt to the effects of a warmer planet.

In Rwanda, the average temperature has already increased by more than one degree Celsius and so the international goal to limit global temperatures to below 1.5 degrees Celsius is crucial.’’

‘‘As the world now accelerates efforts to reduce emissions, Rwanda is calling for greater research in the technologies and clean energy that can help us mitigate climate change and adapt to its impacts. Dealing with climate change is not a choice between development and the environment, it’s about ensuring that our development gains can be sustained for generations to come,” he said.

The deal also recognises the climate action plans submitted by 188 countries, which provide a solid foundation upon which the international community can limit emissions and adapt to a warming planet.

Under the Paris Agreement, countries are required to submit their updated climate plans (Intended Nationally Determined Contributions), every five years. Under this framework, countries will, in the long-term, steadily increase their ambitions for emission reduction and resilience against the impacts of climate change.

The Paris Agreement also provides for adequate support to developing nations and establishes a global goal to significantly strengthen adaptation to climate change through support and international cooperation.

The already broad and ambitious efforts of developing countries to build their own clean, climate-resilient futures will be bolstered by increased finance from developed countries and voluntary contributions from others.

Through the agreement, governments committed to define a clear roadmap to provide technology transfer and climate finance worth US$100 billion a year by 2020, while also setting a new goal to boost the provision of finance above US$100 billion a year before 2025.

The Paris Agreement outcomes include efforts to reduce emissions, a transparent system for reviewing these efforts, adaptation (strengthening the ability of countries to deal with climate impacts), loss and damage (strengthening the ability of countries to recover from climate impacts) and financial and technical support to help vulnerable nations build green and resilient societies.

Following its adoption, the Paris Agreement will be deposited at the UN headquarters in New York and subsequently launched for a year-long signing from April 22, 2016 to April 22, 2017.

The UN Secretary-General will convene a high-level signing ceremony for the agreement on 22 April 2016.

The agreement will enter into force after 55 countries, that account for at least 55 per cent of global emissions, have deposited their instruments of ratification.

editorial@newtimes.co.rw