Namibia slams Trump for exiting climate deal
Donald Trump's announcement that he will withdraw the US from the Paris climate change agreement drew condemnation from Namibia.
Namibia has expressed its disappointment in the withdrawal of the United States from the landmark Paris climate deal, describing it as a huge setback to global climate change efforts.
Environment minister Pohamba Shifeta said that this withdrawal has undermined the significance of the Paris agreement and the efforts that have been made, particularly by developing countries such as Namibia to reduce and mitigate the impacts of climate change. Shifeta said that even though the accord provides for any party to the agreement to withdraw at any time, the sudden announcement by the US that it will pull out is a major blow to global efforts in tackling climate change considering that the US is one of the biggest polluters in the world.
It is reported that the US contributes about 15% of global emissions of carbon. The US is also seen as a significant source of finance and technology for developing countries like Namibia in their efforts to fight rising temperatures.
“It is disappointing that the withdrawal was made on the verge of World Environmental Day where countries are expected to rededicate and recommit themselves to protecting the environment and mitigate the impacts of climate change on the environment,” the minister said.
Shifeta said that the Paris Agreement unites all the nations of the world into a first-ever universal, legally binding global deal to tackle climate change.
According to him, the agreement sets out a global action plan to put the world on track to avoid dangerous climate change by limiting global warming to well below 2°C.
It further commits developed countries such as the US to scale up financial support for climate change mitigation and adaptation action in developing countries.
US President Donald Trump announced last week that the United States would withdraw from the Paris Climate Accord, weakening efforts to combat global warming.
In a speech Trump said the landmark 2015 pact imposed wildly unfair environmental standards on American businesses and workers.
He vowed to stand with the people of the US against what he called a “draconian” international deal.
“I was elected to represent the citizens of Pittsburgh, not Paris,” Trump said.
Trump's decision to abandon the agreement for environmental action signed by 195 nations has been seen as a rebuke to heads of state, climate activists, and members of the president's own staff, who all failed to change his mind with an intense, last-minute lobbying blitz.
ELLANIE SMIT
Environment minister Pohamba Shifeta said that this withdrawal has undermined the significance of the Paris agreement and the efforts that have been made, particularly by developing countries such as Namibia to reduce and mitigate the impacts of climate change. Shifeta said that even though the accord provides for any party to the agreement to withdraw at any time, the sudden announcement by the US that it will pull out is a major blow to global efforts in tackling climate change considering that the US is one of the biggest polluters in the world.
It is reported that the US contributes about 15% of global emissions of carbon. The US is also seen as a significant source of finance and technology for developing countries like Namibia in their efforts to fight rising temperatures.
“It is disappointing that the withdrawal was made on the verge of World Environmental Day where countries are expected to rededicate and recommit themselves to protecting the environment and mitigate the impacts of climate change on the environment,” the minister said.
Shifeta said that the Paris Agreement unites all the nations of the world into a first-ever universal, legally binding global deal to tackle climate change.
According to him, the agreement sets out a global action plan to put the world on track to avoid dangerous climate change by limiting global warming to well below 2°C.
It further commits developed countries such as the US to scale up financial support for climate change mitigation and adaptation action in developing countries.
US President Donald Trump announced last week that the United States would withdraw from the Paris Climate Accord, weakening efforts to combat global warming.
In a speech Trump said the landmark 2015 pact imposed wildly unfair environmental standards on American businesses and workers.
He vowed to stand with the people of the US against what he called a “draconian” international deal.
“I was elected to represent the citizens of Pittsburgh, not Paris,” Trump said.
Trump's decision to abandon the agreement for environmental action signed by 195 nations has been seen as a rebuke to heads of state, climate activists, and members of the president's own staff, who all failed to change his mind with an intense, last-minute lobbying blitz.
ELLANIE SMIT
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