Fiji has welcomed the new climate change agreement adopted at the end of the COP21 meeting in Paris, France this week.
Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama says the new deal represents a huge step forward for humanity in combating climate change.
The Paris pact aims to curb global warming to less than 2C above pre-industrial levels and commits states to efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5 degrees Celsius.
Bainimarama has thanked all Pacific island leaders for their support during the negotiations by remaining united in the face of opposition.
He has also praised Fiji’s development partners, such as the European Union for helping prepare us for COP21 and providing the Pacific moral support in our efforts to secure the best deal possible.
Bainimarama says the agreement will require every nation to participate in serious efforts to lower greenhouse gas emissions by providing a new set of diplomatic tools to monitor emission cuts.
The agreement will enter into effect once 55 parties accounting for a total of 55 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions have ratified it.
The substantive parts of the entire document provide a solid foundation to build and strengthen elements and language before the next commitment period of 2020.
