#COP21 #ParisClimateConference "Advanced countries must leave room for developing ones", says PM #Modi at launch of #missioninnovation
— SkymetWeather (@SkymetWeather) November 30, 2015
Updated on November 30, 2015 at 9:00 PM IST: The President of the French Republic, Francoise Hollande, welcomed the 150 heads of state and government to Paris today. This conference comes across as one of the largest diplomatic gatherings in decades.
UN General Secretary Ban Ki-Moon was one of the key speakers at the venue. Ban Ki-Moon termed the presence of all world leaders in Paris, a sign of hope. He also said that the world needed a universal, meaningful, and robust agreement on climate change.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with PM Nawaz Sharif at the COP21 in Paris. Later in the day, PM Modi also met US President Barack Obama. But the highlight of the day was Narendra Modi's clear message to participating nations regarding India's seriousness and expectations from a 'just' climate agreement. Narendra Modi government has left no stone unturned in echoing India's stand on climate justice.
PM @narendramodi meets PM Nawaz Sharif at COP 21 in Paris pic.twitter.com/HRiY1xLoBM
— Vikas Swarup (@MEAIndia) November 30, 2015
#ParisClimateConference PM @narendramodi has reached #Paris for the historic #ClimateTalks (Pic via: @PMOIndia) pic.twitter.com/78arS6Kum8 — SkymetWeather (@SkymetWeather) November 30, 2015
#ParisClimateConference Do you support #India's firm stand on #ClimateJustice ahead of the historic #ClimateTalks? — SkymetWeather (@SkymetWeather) November 30, 2015
The Paris Climate Conference will see 195 nations, thousands of activists, journalists, and climate change scholars converge at point to carve out a safer and sustainable future path for the world.
The current commitments on greenhouse gas emissions will run out by 2020. Therefore, the 21st Conference of Parties is of great significance.
Paris Climate Conference: Adamant India pushing for climate justice
Ahead of the talks, India pushed for 'climate justice' and the same has been reiterated by the Modi government ever since. Recently, US Secretary of State John Kerry termed India as a 'challenge' ahead of the Paris climate talks. To this, the Indian government responded in a 'matter-of-fact' tone and called the statement 'unwanted'.
It must be noted that India is already contributing more than its fair share of emission cuts. Thus India's firm stand on the issue of climate justice is reasonable and valid in every sense. India has asked developed nations to step up and 'walk the talk', instead of trying to pressurize or persuade developing nations, for a lopsided climate agreement.
Paris Climate Conference: The real challenge
Meanwhile, the real challenge at the Paris Climate Conference is convincing more than 190 nations to say yes to keeping global warming below the 2 degrees Celsius mark. Environmentalists believe that the degree of success of the Paris climate talks may as well dictate the terms for the survival and growth of future generations.