The 21st United Nations Climate Conference (COP21) kicks off today in Paris. More than 150 heads of state and government will be present, with the aim of signing a historic agreement that limits global warming and averts the risk of an irreversible environmental catastrophe.
Meanwhile, yesterday 317 people were arrested out of the 10 who took to the streets to protest in view of the summit, challenging the ban on demonstrating decided by French President François Hollande. In place de la République, a small group of demonstrators destroyed tributes to the victims of the terrorist attacks of 13 November last. “Scandalous,” Hollande commented.
Returning to the agreement that the international community is called upon to define, the goal is to limit global warming to 2 degrees compared to pre-industrial era levels. The scientific community is now unanimous on the fact that beyond this limit the Earth would face a climatic chaos with catastrophic implications.
Ahead of the conference, 183 out of 195 countries presented pledges to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. These commitments, which in themselves represent a significant step forward, would in any case lead to warming close to 3 degrees, therefore insufficient. The summit therefore aims to outline upward revision mechanisms for the agreement over the next few decades. The works of the COP21 will close on 11 December.
