Rwanda hails Paris agreement on climate change, prepares for instruments of ratification

Rwanda on Monday praised a historic climate change agreement approved Saturday in Paris, saying fighting climate change is not a choice between development and the environment, but about ensuring development gains can be sustained for generations to come.

"As the world now accelerates efforts to reduce emissions, Rwanda is calling for greater research in the technologies and clean energy that can help us to mitigate climate change and adapt to its impacts. Dealing with climate change is not a choice between development and the environment, it's about ensuring our development gains can be sustained for generations to come," a government statement issued Monday said.

The agreement paves the way for substantive action to limit global temperature increases to lower than 2 degrees.

The agreement represents the first ever international commitment to taking concrete measures to reduce emissions and help vulnerable countries adapt to the impacts of a changing climate.

Adopted by 195 nations, the Paris agreement, coming after years of negotiations and two-week talks in France, will spur action and investment to build a low carbon, climate resilient and sustainable future for all.

The agreement will enter into force after 55 countries that account for at least 55 percent of global emissions have submitted their instruments of ratification.

"Following the signing of the Paris Agreement, the next step for Rwanda will be to prepare ratification instruments allowing legal adoption and implementation," the government statement said.

During the UN conference in Paris, Rwanda called for a robust pact that ensured no country would be left behind in the effort to overcome climate change and develop green societies and economies.

Led by Minister of Natural Resources, Vincent Biruta, Rwanda's delegation also met with bilateral partners with whom they shared the country's ongoing efforts to respond to the impacts of climate change.

This includes the creation of Rwanda's Green Fund, now 100 million U.S dollars environment and climate change fund that supports green investments and climate resilience initiatives across the country.

The global meeting in Paris was opened by the leader's event at which 150 heads of state and governments delivered national statements reaffirming their commitment to a climate change deal. Endit