MADRID, Dec. 8 (Xinhua) -- It is important to evaluate the commitments for supporting developing countries agreed in various climate conferences before the Paris Agreement, says UN climate chief Patricia Espinosa during the ongoing UN Climate Change Conference COP25 here in Spain.

It is a key element to assess "not only how we have progressed in reducing emissions, but also how progress has been made in fulfilling the commitments regarding the support to be granted to developing countries for their climate actions," said Espinosa, executive secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), in an exclusive interview with Xinhua.

On the sidelines of COP25 in Madrid, Espinosa made this observation in reference to the UNFCCC, which was approved in 1992, and the 1998 Kyoto Protocol. Together with the 2015 Paris Agreement - the first universal, legally binding global climate agreement - these are the three most important documents on climate change.

She indicated that with respect to what is known as the pre-2020 agenda process, there is a whole process that includes the entire COP25, the inter-governmental discussions on the pre-2020 agenda, as well as a review and summary on the fulfillment of obligations and commitments.

"The evidence we see every day convinces us of the need to take decisions more quickly and to tell the truth," she said.

"Things have changed compared to the negotiations we had just a couple of years ago, and the delegations that come to the conference are very clear about the importance of trying to find answers and of finding points of convergence in order to move forward."

She explained that climate change multiplies any other type of crises or problems, adding that those with greater resources will always be able to escape affected areas and count on support from other family members. However, those who are already in vulnerable situations will be the worst affected.

"This means climate change is not just about limiting emissions, it is also related to critical situations at social and political levels," said Espinosa, a former diplomat for Mexico.

SUPPORT FROM CHINA

Regarding China's role in climate change negotiations, Espinosa said China has been playing an important role in many of key negotiations.

"China has been an active participant in our process for many years. And in the last three conferences, which I have attended in my role as Executive Secretary of the Convention Secretariat, China has been vital in helping us reach a successful last-minute agreements over several issues," she noted.

Commending China for reaching, even exceeding, the climate goals it had originally set, the UN climate chief expressed the hope that China would be more ambitious in the fight against climate change.

Espinosa said China has undergone a fundamental change in its model of consumption, which has not only benefited China but also the entire world.

Meanwhile, the large Chinese market for renewable energy technology has helped reduce the price of this technology to a level which is now competitive with fossil fuels, which is vital to make the necessary transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources.

Regarding South-South cooperation, Espinosa said that it was a "generous policy of China to be able to help and reach out to other developing countries that are in need."

"It is important because we are not yet at a level of aid that corresponds to the needs (of developing nations), and that is why China's support is particularly valuable," she explained.

U.S. WITHDRAWAL

With regard to the U.S. decision to withdraw from the Paris Agreement, Espinosa said she hoped there was "time for rectification, for them to reconsider this decision."

She reiterated that the U.S. remains an important actor and a key partner. It is "good to keep on working with them."

Within the U.S., Espinosa noted, there are "many actions and commitments which are being carried out at local and regional government levels, by companies and civil organizations to fight against climate change."

Some places in the U.S. are already being affected by climate change and people in those regions are therefore more willing to act in the face of the challenge, she added. Enditem

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