China eyes implementing Paris Agreement
- By Zhang Lulu
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E-mail China.org.cn, November 5, 2016
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| Zou Ji, an expert in climate change and the deputy director general of the National Center for Climate Change Strategy and International Cooperation, during an interview on Nov. 3 in Beijing. [Photo by Wei Yao/Beijing Review] |
"The devil is in the detail"
"We often say that the devil is in detail. When it comes to the implementation, it requires genuine input and concrete action. Countries are expected to continue debating and negotiating in this year's conference." Said Zou, who is also the deputy director general of the Beijing-based National Center for Climate Change Strategy and International Cooperation.
One of the focal points during climate change conferences is money. The Paris Agreement stipulates that developed countries should "provide financial resources" to developing countries in both mitigation and adaptation to climate change.
Developed countries pledged to mobilize US$100 billion to help developing countries to tackle climate change by 2020. However, the Green Climate Fund, a climate change-related fund under the U.N., reported only US$ 10.3 billion in pledges from developed countries as of October this year.
Zou said that developed countries should make public the sum of funds they offered and the methods of accounting. "Developing countries have been calling for funds that are used specifically for tackling climate change, instead of other funds that are barely related to climate change. For instance, money that's already been invested in poverty reduction in developing countries should not be taken as climate funds."
The Paris Agreement requires a concrete roadmap of the US$100 billion, and this year countries will need to work towards drafting the roadmap, Zou said.
"Funding issues usually attract the greatest attention from developing countries, especially the least developed countries. If funding does not materialize, it will directly undermine the principle of 'common but differentiated responsibilities'." Zou said. The principle of "common but differentiated responsibilities" means that though all countries need to address climate change, developing and developed countries have different responsibilities due to their different contribution to global emissions and their national conditions.
Zou said that China, though itself a developing country, would continue helping other developing countries to claim and exercise their rights to the fund.
Other issues such as the global stocktake and technology development and transfer, also need to be worked out this year and in the future, Zou said.
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