Papua New Guinea, along with all other countries that signed the Paris Agreement, will stand firm despite the United States’ announcement of withdrawal.
Climate Change & Development Authority (CCDA) managing director, Ruel Yamuna, said this in response to U.S President Donald Trump’s recent announcement.
Yamuna said PNG will continue to negotiate for the strongest possible outcome to ensure climate action is implemented.
He said PNG, through CCDA in partnership with key government departments, state agencies and other development partners, will continue to work with all stakeholders to implement PNG’s obligations under the Paris Agreement.
“Climate change is real and already affecting the livelihoods of communities in PNG,” he stated.
“The Paris Agreement is stronger than Donald Trump.”
Yamuna revealed that the current ambition to reduce dangerous greenhouse gas emissions remains insufficient.
“We are still heading for global warming of 3 – 4 Degrees Celsius with disastrous consequences to communities living on the frontlines of climate change as droughts, storms and floods threaten their homes, harvests and livelihoods.”
Yamuna highlighted that all other countries in the world have begun negotiating the rulebook for the implementation of the landmark climate deal.
This follows the recent SB 46 Climate Change meeting in Bonn, Germany, last month.
They will continue to do so under the leadership of the Kingdom of Morocco as the present Conference of the Parties (COP) President and Fiji as the incoming COP President.
Last Thursday, President Trump proclaimed that he was withdrawing the US from the Paris climate accord, which he claimed placed "draconian" financial burdens on the American people.
According to CNN, Trump said: "We're getting out. And we will start to renegotiate and we'll see if there's a better deal. If we can, great. If we can't, that's fine."
The Paris Agreement unites nations into a common cause; to combat climate change and adapt to its effects, with enhanced support to assist developing countries to do so.
(Picture: Earth First! Journal)