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 Obama addressed the U.N. climate change summit with a statement
meant to build political momentum for a global deal on climate
change in 2015 and a list of commitments his administration has made
to address.
He said a "global compact" needs to include strong commitments from
some of the world's emerging economies because the amount of
greenhouse gases they emit increases as their economies grow.
"This time we need an agreement that reflects economic realities in
the next decade and beyond," Obama said.
"It must be ambitious because that’s what the scale of this
challenge demands."
Obama said that prior to taking the podium, he met with China's vice
premier Zhang Gaoli and they agreed that the world's two biggest
emitters "have a responsibility to lead."
China surpassed the United States in 2007 as the world's largest
greenhouse gas emitter.
Following Obama's remarks, Zhang said China would aim to cap
emissions or have them peak "as early as possible." The issue is
critical to U.N. negotiations. Some Chinese government advisers said
this could happen after 2030.
The minister also said China would double annual financial support
for a fund specifically created for developing countries to help
other developing countries become more resilient to climate change.
Leaders mostly did not disclose specifics about the plans they are
due to unveil next year, ahead of Paris climate talks scheduled for
December 2015.
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In response to a request by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon for
some indication of country plans, Prime Minister David Cameron said
the UK is aiming to cut its greenhouse emissions by 80 percent by
2050 and to push the European Union to target a 40 percent reduction
from 1990 levels by 2030.
Some leaders announced financial commitments to help smooth the path
to a 2015 agreement, with French President Francois Hollande saying
his country would inject $1 billion into the Green Climate Fund.
South Korean President Park Geun-hye pledged to contribute up to
$100 million to that fund and Mexico said it would kick in $10
million.
"We will push everyone, large and small, rich and poor, into a 2015
global agreement in Paris that will deepen our initial efforts and
break through challenges," said Marshall Islands President
Christopher Loeak.
(Reporting by Valerie Volcovici; additional reporting by Maria
Caspani; Editing by Ros Krasny, Howard Goller, Toni Reinhold)
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