Lima climate conference to prepare global deal for COP21 in Paris

The 20th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP20) commences today with more than 190 countries to meet in Lima, Peru to discuss a global climate deal in preparation for next year’s United Nations climate conference talks in Paris.

Currently, the global warming deal is at an advantage as pledges from the world’s top carbon polluters in the European Union, China and the US to cap emissions in the next 10-15 years has progressed the slow-moving talks in the last two months.

EU Negotiator, Elina Bardram comments on the impact these pledges are producing on companies that are less interested to cooperate “This sends an important signal for the rest of the world to come forward as early as possible with their own contributions. We have 12 months and the clock is ticking”.

Australia, India, Japan and Russia are major emitters that have not displayed their participation for the new deal. However, by getting pledges in advance for COP21 in Paris next year, governments are hoping to create a successful climate agreement they failed to reach 5 years ago in Copenhagen.

The 1997 Kyoto Protocol generally focused on industrialised countries. However, figures today prove the carbon emission level is mainly rising in the developing world.

The primary focus is to share the responsibility of reducing greenhouse gas emissions with Western countries and emerging economies such as China and India. While simultaneously helping the poorer and most vulnerable nations protect themselves against rising seas, droughts and other impacts of global warming.

According to the Peruvian President, Ollanta Humala, “It is urgent that we create the greatest alliance in history against climate change”.

Scientists say goals on keeping global warming below 2 Degrees Celsius (3.6 F) is unrealistic as it has already risen by 0.8 Degrees Celsius (0.8 F) and levels of carbon emissions continue to rise every year.