#COP21: New Draft Climate Change Agreement Online

Commenting on the new draft text circulated today at the UN climate talks in Paris, Germana Canzi, senior international analyst at the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit (ECIU), said: “The French Presidency has done a very good job in moving negotiations forwards and ensuring there is positive momentum towards a deal after the ambition generated by global leaders last week.

You can read the draft text here.

“Ministers have clearly made huge progress in the last few days, but there are still issues to be resolved, including on the long-term goal that is ultimately needed to solve climate change.

“Many countries have come into negotiations recognising that a clean energy transition and a decoupling of emissions from economic growth are underway already, but Paris could be a key accelerator towards the end of the fossil fuel age.”

Stephanie Pfeifer, CEO of the Institutional Investors Group on Climate Change said: “It appears that all the key ingredients remain in the mix that could deliver a robust agreement providing the kind of signal investors want from Paris. It is encouraging that text which would establish a clear long term decarbonisation goal over a defined timetable remains a possibility. Since time is of the essence, we hope that all Parties will regard this draft agreement as a good basis for the final stretch of negotiations.”

Friends of the Earth CEO Craig Bennett said: “The final climate deal must include a commitment to keeping global temperature rises below 1.5 degrees. Nations that have grown wealthy from burning climate-changing fossil fuels, have to do most to cut emissions if this is to be achieved. Unfortunately the draft text lacks the commitments to keep temperature rises to that level – or even to two or three degrees of warming.

“The devastating floods hitting communities across the UK should be a wake-up call to David Cameron. His government must back a 1.5 degree target – and end its fixation with dirty fossil fuels. The good news is that millions of people worldwide are way ahead of politicians – they will keep on making their voices heard for a cleaner, safer future.”

Christian Aid’s, Senior Climate Advisor, Mohamed Adow said: “The new Paris Outcomes text represents good progress. It is much cleaner and presents clear options to help ministers get tougher and resolve the sticky issues.

Lots of brackets have been taken out and the substance is progressing. In particular, progress has been made on climate adaptation and capacity building. But still more attention needs to be given to adaptation finance to give effective support to the most vulnerable countries.

“The next 24 hours are critical. This is where the real negotiations will begin. We really need countries to fight to keep in the high ambition options on climate finance, the long term decarbonisation goal and a ratchet mechanism to ensure the agreement evolves to meet the needs of a changing world.”

Mr Adow also welcomed the announcement earlier today by the US that it would be doubling its adaption funding. He said: “It is welcome to see rich countries at these talks stepping forward to provide practical support which will make a real difference to some of the poorest people facing droughts, floods, sea level rise and extreme weather events.

“This shows that countries are engaging with each other and rich nations are listening to the needs of the poorest. Starting to deliver on previous finance commitments will build trust between countries at this crucial juncture. This will hopefully now start a snowball effect with other rich countries potentially following suit.”