Recently, the 29th meeting of environment ministers from the BASIC nations (Brazil, South Africa, India, and China) took place in Beijing, China. This event was noteworthy due to a statement that was issued, calling for a comprehensive implementation of the Paris Agreement. This agreement, originally drafted in 2015, looks to mobilize nations worldwide to take critical steps in addressing climate change. There were several key points discussed throughout the meeting.
Emphasis on Paris Agreement
A significant part of the meeting included the ministers expressing the importance of the Paris Agreement. This international treaty is pivotal as it pushes each participant to do their part in combating climate change. In the meeting, the ministers reinforced the need for all nations to adhere to this agreement’s provisions, indicating that its full execution is imperative for managing global climate change.
Call for Financial Support from Developed Nations
Among other things, the ministers urged developed nations to uphold their commitment to providing climate finance to developing countries. This commitment amounts to $100 billion, which is supposed to assist these countries in mitigating climate change issues. Remarkably, this pledge was made under the Copenhagen Accord during the COP-15 in 2009, where the developed world promised $100 billion per year from 2012 to 2020.
| Year | Commitment |
|---|---|
| 2009 | $100 Billion per year (Copenhagen Accord) |
| 2012-2020 | $100 Billion per year (Promised Contribution) |
The Green Climate Fund
The promised $100 billion is known as the Green Climate Fund, an initiative designed to support developing and least developing countries in their fight against climate change. However, it’s worth noting that currently only $10-20 billion of this fund has been contributed.
Common but Differentiated Responsibilities and Respective Capabilities (CBDR-RC)
The meeting was held in line with the principles of equity, common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities (CBDR-RC). This principle is a component of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and recognizes the different abilities and responsibilities of individual countries in confronting climate change.
Advocating for Complete Implementation of UNFCCC and its Agreements
Finally, the group stressed the necessity of a full, effective, and sustained implementation of the UNFCCC, its Kyoto Protocol (1997-2012), and its Paris Agreement. These implementations are considered critical since they provide a framework for international cooperation to combat climate change effectively.