Climate negotiators focused on bringing everybody together: US

The US also indicated that it does not believe that India is the only stumbling block in a successful climate change negotiations

Paris, Climate change, Global warming, France
US President Barack Obama, center, and U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, right, are greeted as they arrives for the COP21, United Nations Climate Change Conference, in Le Bourget, outside Paris. Photo: AP/PTI
Press Trust of India Washington
Last Updated : Dec 04 2015 | 10:46 AM IST
Climate change negotiators in Paris are focused on trying to bring everybody together and the substantial commitment made by every country, including India, prior to the conference will be an important factor in the success of the summit, the White House has said.

"I think any time you're talking about 180 countries coming together to agree on a single draft text of an agreement, it's going to require a lot of people to work together to find that common ground," White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest told reporters.

The White House indicated that it does not agree with the ongoing narrative in the American media and Western press that India is the only stumbling block in a successful climate change negotiations currently underway at Paris.

Responding to a question, Earnest said the negotiations in Paris are focused on trying to bring everybody together.

"Certainly, the substantial commitments that every country, including India, has made prior to the Paris conference will be an important factor in our success," Earnest said.

"But we're going to continue to work in that multilateral forum to bring the world together. There's no denying that the significant commitments that have been made by the United States in conjunction with China have catalysed an international reaction that makes an historic agreement more likely," he said.

"But there's still another week of negotiations that remain. And the hard work of bringing the world together I think probably means more sleepless nights for some of our negotiators," Earnest said.

Meanwhile at the UN headquarters in New York, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said he would continue to press developed countries to recognise their responsibility to take the lead, while urging developing countries to do more in line with their growing capabilities.

"The world has gone too long without a universal climate agreement that includes all countries as part of the solution. We cannot delay any longer," he told reporters.

Ban will soon head to Paris again to participate in the negotiations.

"There is no perfect agreement. But our goal is clear: an agreement that truly addresses climate change, and puts the world on track for long-term prosperity, stability and peace. That is what the days ahead in Paris can and must deliver," he asserted.

"In the global economy, the transition to a low-emissions future is well under way. In the negotiating room, there is still a lot of work to do. Key issues remain unresolved, and there is not much time left," Ban said.
*Subscribe to Business Standard digital and get complimentary access to The New York Times

Smart Quarterly

₹900

3 Months

₹300/Month

SAVE 25%

Smart Essential

₹2,700

1 Year

₹225/Month

SAVE 46%
*Complimentary New York Times access for the 2nd year will be given after 12 months

Super Saver

₹3,900

2 Years

₹162/Month

Subscribe

Renews automatically, cancel anytime

Here’s what’s included in our digital subscription plans

Exclusive premium stories online

  • Over 30 premium stories daily, handpicked by our editors

Complimentary Access to The New York Times

  • News, Games, Cooking, Audio, Wirecutter & The Athletic

Business Standard Epaper

  • Digital replica of our daily newspaper — with options to read, save, and share

Curated Newsletters

  • Insights on markets, finance, politics, tech, and more delivered to your inbox

Market Analysis & Investment Insights

  • In-depth market analysis & insights with access to The Smart Investor

Archives

  • Repository of articles and publications dating back to 1997

Ad-free Reading

  • Uninterrupted reading experience with no advertisements

Seamless Access Across All Devices

  • Access Business Standard across devices — mobile, tablet, or PC, via web or app

More From This Section

First Published: Dec 04 2015 | 10:22 AM IST

Next Story