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Indonesia, China remain committed to Paris Agreement

Amid concerns that the United States may withdraw from an international commitment to fight global warming, Indonesia has called on countries to come together to deliver on their pledges

Adisti Sukma Sawitri (The Jakarta Post)
Marrakech
Thu, November 17, 2016

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Indonesia, China remain committed to Paris Agreement

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mid concerns that the United States may withdraw from an international commitment to fight global warming, Indonesia has called on countries to come together to deliver on their pledges.

Environment and Forestry Minister Siti Nurbaya Bakar said Indonesia was ready to work on a global action plan that would involve all countries that had signed the Paris Agreement last year.

“No one should be left behind, no one should take individual action, especially developed nations, which we expect to be the main supporters of the global action,” Siti said on Wednesday before delivering the country’s statement at the United Nations climate conference in Marrakech, Morocco.

Siti said Indonesia had mustered solid governmental and legislative backing to support the global climate initiative.

Countries from around the world reached a historical deal at the COP21 conference in Paris last year to cut emissions to prevent disastrous impacts of global warming.

At this year’s climate conference, nations are moving forward to craft ways on how to reach the emissions targets.

The formal talks have yet to make significant progress, as many signatories have not ratified nor submitted their emissions goals, also known as nationally-determined contribution (NDC).

The US was previously known for its weak commitment to global climate protection efforts. After decades of rejecting the Kyoto Protocol, the previous climate commitment that only obliged developed countries to cut their emissions, it played a key role in achieving a global deal in Paris.

US President Barack Obama has vowed to cut US emissions by 26-28 percent below 2005 levels by 2025 and laid out domestic regulations to implement the country’s action plan.

But as Obama is expected to hand over the administration to president-elect Donald Trump in January, there are concerns that Trump, a climate contrarian and coal proponent, would dismantle the efforts and deal a blow to the Paris Agreement.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and French President Francois Hollande have called on Trump to drop his campaign pledge to annul the Paris deal and “respect” the commitments that were made.

“It’s not simply their duty, it’s in their interest,” said Hollande at the climate conference.

Chinese of Foreign Affairs Deputy Minister Liu Zhenmin said his country would wait and see what the new US administration would decide regarding the Paris agreement.

Whatever the US decides, however, China appears committed to the Paris agreement, especially with regard to financing measures against climate change.

“I hope other countries will become more united to move forward with the agreement, regardless of what the new US administration decides,” Liu said.

Liu said the world, in light of the Kyoto Protocol experience, had legitimate concerns that the US would walk away from its commitment.

But he also said the US had shown stronger commitment in Paris and he believed that it would remain committed.

Indonesia submitted its NDC on Nov. 6, stipulating that it would cut emissions by 29 percent by 2030 or by 41 percent with international support.

Despite being heavily reliant on coal for its energy supplies, the government has also set a goal to reduce the use of coal in the country’s energy mix to a maximum of 30 percent in 2025 and 25 percent in 2050. More than half of its energy is currently generated from coal.

The NDC also includes targets to increase the use of renewable energy to at least 23 percent in 2025 and 31 percent in 2050, from currently 9.9 percent.

Earlier, Indonesia’s special envoy for climate change, Rachmat Witoelar, said Indonesia remained committed, despite waning commitment from developed countries.

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