Christian Aid React To UK’s Imminent Paris Agreement Decision

Christian Aid’s International Climate Lead, Mohamed Adow, has welcomed the UK’s imminent ratification of the Paris Agreement, speaking from the COP22 climate summit in Marrakech.

He said: “During a week in which the international climate negotiations have experienced the shock of the US elections, this backing by America’s oldest and strongest ally shows that support for global action to tackle climate change remains resolute.

“If the election of Donald Trump as President of the United States can’t shake countries’ resolve then nothing will. Not only have nations remained steady, a number have actively ratified the Paris Agreement since the election, including even the petro-state of Saudi Arabia.

If a modern, post-Brexit Britain is to thrive it needs to be at the forefront of the global clean energy transition

“If a modern, post-Brexit Britain is to thrive it needs to be at the forefront of the global clean energy transition, something the UK’s low carbon sector is well placed to take advantage of.

“Market forces are clearly pointing towards the smart money being in clean tech.

“The country that dominated the first industrial revolution is now positioning itself to capitalise on the second.”

He added: “Ratifying the Paris Agreement is also a recognition by the first country to industrialise that it has a duty to help and protect the very poorest and most vulnerable people in the world suffering the effects of climate change.

“We expect the UK to know back up this ratification with concrete actions that will rapidly cut its emissions in all sectors.

“Ratifying the Paris Agreement is a moral act by a country that understands it’s responsibilities in a globally interconnected world.”