1st LD Writethru: Obama calls Paris climate accord "a turning point for the world"

U.S. President Barack Obama on Saturday called the Paris climate agreement "a turning point for the world," saying it had created an "enduring framework" for future efforts.

"This agreement sends a powerful signal that the world is firmly committed to a low-carbon future," said Obama in a televised speech. "This agreement represents the best chance we've had to save the one planet that we've got."

Even if all the initial targets set in Paris would be met, the efforts to reduce carbon from the atmosphere would have to be continued, said Obama.

"We'll only be part of the way there when it comes to reducing carbon from the atmosphere," he said. "But make no mistake, the Paris agreement establishes the enduring framework the world needs to solve the climate crisis."

The landmark Paris Agreement on climate change is adopted Saturday by the 196 Parties of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change during the 21st Conference of the Parties hosted by France.

On the basis of equity and common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities, the Paris agreement calls for aiming to hold global average temperature rise to below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels and strives for limiting the temperature increase to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels.

Taking into account of the needs and priorities of developing countries, the agreement also eyes 100 billion U.S. dollars a year in climate aid by developed countries for developing countries from 2020 to 2025. Endit