Paris deal: A further step in combating climate change

On the evening of December 12, the Paris agreement on tackling climate change was finally sealed at this year's Conference of Parties (COP21), signifying mankind's resolution to face up to the threats and risks arising from climate change. [Photo by Deng Yaqing/China.org.cn]

On the evening of December 12, the Paris agreement on tackling climate change was finally sealed at this year's Conference of Parties (COP21), signifying mankind's resolution to face up to the threats and risks arising from climate change.

The agreement requires all countries to peak greenhouse gas emissions as soon as possible, achieve a balance between sources and sinks of greenhouse gases in the second half of the century, review overall progress every five years, keep the global temperature rise "well below" two degrees Celsius and pursue efforts to limit it to 1.5 degrees Celsius, and join global actions to combat climate change by submitting and carrying out intended nationally determined contributions (INDCs).

Beyond that, the agreement stipulates that developed countries will continue to take the lead in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, strengthen their financial and technologicalsupport to developing countries and help them in mitigation and adaptation.

"China is fully supportive of the Paris agreement, and hopes the agreement will be fully implemented to the benefit of people in all corners of the world, our posterity and the sustainable development of human society," said Xie Zhenhua, China's special representative for climate change.

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said that Chinese President Xi Jinping and the Chinese delegation had made historic and extraordinary contributionsto the conclusion of the Paris agreement.

"The agreement will promote China's efforts in pushing forward green and low-carbon development. By practicing the Paris agreement, China will make further progress in sustainable development," said Xie, who stressed that tackling climate change will evolve into an opportunity and impetus for the nation to seek sustainable development.

"The principle of common but differentiated responsibilities has been reflected in the new agreement, but the new agreement is not perfect," said Zou Ji, deputy director of the National Center for Climate Change Strategy and International Cooperation.

Major developing countries expect the developed world to reinforce their efforts in providing financial and technological support and to be more ambitious and motivated in setting goals and taking action.

In November 2014, Chinese President Xi and U.S. President Barack Obama jointly unveiled an announcement to tackle climate change. Afterwards, China took theinitiative to submit its INDCs. By now, a total of 194 countries have handed up their INDCs.

"The differentiation between developing and developed countries has been reflected in mitigation and adaptation, financing, transparency, technological and capacity building," said Xie.