Christian Aid responds to Paris Climate Agreement Signing

As nations gather in New York to sign the historic UN climate agreement brokered last December in Paris, Christian Aid, has hailed it as a clear sign that the low carbon transition is underway.

Mohamed Adow, Christian Aid’s Senior Climate Adviser, said: “The signing of this agreement reminds us just how far we’ve come. Just a few years ago the world was divided on how to respond to climate change and progress was slow. But this agreement shows the world is now united in tackling its biggest threat and the path towards a low carbon world is set.

“The burning question now is will this transition be fast enough to fend off the worst effects of global warming. It is vital that countries ratify the Paris Agreement as soon as possible so that we can turn it into reality and start benefiting from these changes.

“The sooner it comes into force the stronger the signal is to investors and the faster the global transition will be as money shifts to clean technologies.

“We’re already seeing this happen with coal as the market turns its back on companies such as Peabody Energy.”

Mr Adow added: “The Paris Agreement is a remarkable diplomatic achievement and has ushered in a new low-carbon future free from the chains of fossil fuels. It has been celebrated by people from all walks of life. Just this week more than 250 faith leaders urged governments to ratify the Agreement quickly.

“Countries such as the US, China and EU nations need to follow the lead of Fiji, Palau, the Maldives and the Marshall Islands who have already ratified.  There is no reason for the others to drag their feet.

“This moment isn’t the end of the journey, but it is the end of the beginning. As well as shifting away from fossil fuels to renewable energy, it is also vital we strengthen the current emissions cuts and climate finance pledges to create an upward spiral of ambition.”