UN calls on G20 leaders to stick with Paris Agreement

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By CGTN's Zhang He

After US President Donald Trump decided to withdraw the US from the Paris Agreement, the UN's climate chief has called on G20 leaders to address climate change at the upcoming Hamburg summit in northern Germany from July 7 to 8.

Patricia Espinosa, Executive Secretary of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, told CGTN the situation regarding climate change is not clear, after G7 leaders showed divided opinions on climate change issues during the Italy summit in May.

“There was a unanimous view by six members, but there is a different opinion by the US. We don’t know how this will unfold in the G20,” said Espinosa. “I think that in the last few weeks there have been a lot of signals that point to the importance of embarking on the agenda that address climate change.”

Patricia Espinosa, Executive Secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, talks with CGTN during an interview at the end of June. /CGTN Photo

Espinosa thinks that G20, as a relevant actor in the international community, will make a phenomenal impact on how the rest of the world acts on climate change.

"Anything that G20 decides, the message that G20 sends out to the world, is always influencing what others will do."

- Patricia Espinosa, Executive Secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, in an interview with CGTN

Since the last G20 Summit in Hangzhou, the German government has been working with other members to continue the commitment to tackling climate change, especially in China.

Espinosa hopes the summit in Hamburg will inherit the achievements that were made in Hangzhou last year, with all members agreeing to implement the Paris Agreement on climate change.

"We are really hopeful that they are successful at the meeting in Hamburg,” said Espinosa.

The secretariat of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in Bonn, Germany /CGTN Photo

“The meeting in China was certainly a very crucial meeting," said Espinosa. "In that framework, the ratification by the US and China was announced. It was a moment marking the process towards achieving full compliance of the two thresholds needed for entering into force the Paris Agreement."

"It (G20 Summit in Hangzhou) marks the beginning of the process that allows us to have the Paris Agreement enter force in less than one year, which is also very crucial for such a complex international instrument."

- Patricia Espinosa, Executive Secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, in an interview with CGTN

The secretariat of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in Bonn, Germany /CGTN Photo

Last year, China announced its willingness to make changes to its financing system, reflecting its aim to solve the problem of climate change by increasing green investment financing.

Espinosa hopes green financing can be addressed during the meeting in Hamburg, as it is crucial for achieving the goals of the Paris Agreement.

"I would hope in that way (addressing green finance) to give continuation to the efforts and commitment by China. Hopefully, other countries will follow that example.”

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