Like many other countries, UK was delighted to sign the Paris Agreement proving that the transition to a climate-neutral and climate-resilient world is happening.

The requirements for every Party to pursue domestic mitigation measures, to submit – every five years – progressively more ambitious nationally determined contributions, and to transparently track their progress toward achieving those contributions are what makes and what made this deal so special. So, the Paris Agreement started a race to the top a race in which every country is expected to strive to do everything it can to achieve the shared goals.

Britain has a proud record here. It has in place domestic legislation requiring UK to reduce its emissions by at least 80% by 2050. UK has ruled out more coal fire from 2025.

Britain and the EU have strong record of setting and delivering on ambitious climate targets.

UK is not waiting to act, it's acting now, to deliver its 2020 20% target, to work with colleagues around the world to implement their climate plans, and to foster the development of innovative solutions and green markets. UK has been using its position as leaders in the global financial markets to work with industry on greening private finance and investment flows.

US withdrawal from Paris Agreement:

Though the deal was supposedly made universal and irreversible, yet USA has backed out. The United Kingdom is proud and honoured to be a part of ambitious Paris Agreement.

"We're getting out." It was with these words that Donald Trump signified the United States' break from the Paris Agreement .

The announcement on 1 June 2017 by US President Donald Trump that the United States would be withdrawing from the 2015 Paris Agreement on Climate Change has been met with dismay by government and industry leaders.

France, Germany and Italy have rejected the American call to reopen climate talks and ten US states have formed an alliance to continue their support for the United Nations Framework Convention to tackle greenhouse gas emissions from 2020.

UK Prime Minister Theresa May expressed her disappointment with the decision of USA and stressed that the UK remained committed to the Paris Agreement, as she had set out recently at the 43rd G7 summit of advanced economy leaders in Sicily. She said that the Paris Agreement provides the right global framework for protecting the prosperity and security of future generations, while keeping energy affordable and secure for our citizens and businesses.

In the course of a conversation between USA PM Mr Trump and UK PM Ms May, Trump did say, however, that the door remains open to future US involvement in the Agreement, and both agreed on the importance of continued cooperation on wider energy issues.

Many other world leaders including UK have denounced the US's decision saying "This move is exactly the wrong direction for our nation and world, there is tremendous urgency – for the sake of our communities, human health, the environment, and the economy – to expedite the transition to a clean energy economy that works for everyone. Trump's decision to support the fossil fuel industry over the interest of people and the planet is a historic failure."

In the UK, Scottish Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change, Roseanna Cunningham commented: 'The need for international co-operation is greater than ever and will be vital if we are to prevent the most serious effects of climate change by limiting average global temperature rises to well below two degrees Celsius.

 

What works for climate works for business

 

Michelle Hubert, Head of Energy and Infrastructure at UK business organisation, the CBI, said: "The Paris Agreement is a climate deal agreed by the world's leaders that puts us on a sustainable low-carbon path and which can provide the framework for business to invest with confidence. It's disappointing that President Trump has signalled his intention to withdraw the United States from the Agreement, but now is the time for governments to affirm their commitment to it by turning global ambition into national reality. By investing and innovating, British businesses will be at the heart of delivering a low-carbon economy and will want to see domestic policies that demonstrate the commitment to this goal. The Paris Agreement was negotiated to bind governments together, ensuring a global level playing field for all businesses. It provides business with the confidence and certainty it needs to make long-term investments in innovation and infrastructure."

We in the UK, are proud that Ms May (UK's PM) is upholding Mrs Thatcher's tradition of basing climate policies on scientific evidence and on our responsibility to the rest of the world.

 

The UK's action on renewable electricity and climate justice, is sending a strong message globally that the nations of the world will continue to work together to combat climate change. UK will continue to commit to global action to reduce carbon pollution.

 

Sources/References:

https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/the-paris-agreement-proves-that-the-transition-to-a-climate-neutral-and-climate-resilient-world-is-happening

 

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/uk-ratifies-the-paris-agreement

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/amp/40128356

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/jun/06/uk-must-use-its-trade-policy-to-tackle-climate-change

http://eaem.co.uk/news/us-withdrawal-paris-agreement-government-and-industry-reactions