European leaders have vowed to stick to the Paris climate agreement despite US President Donald Trump’s withdrawal from it. In a strong show of unity, European Union chief Ursula von der Leyen stated that Europe will continue to work towards protecting nature and stopping global warming.
The 27-nation bloc has reaffirmed its commitment to the landmark agreement, which aims to limit long-term global warming to 2.7 degrees Fahrenheit (1.5 degrees Celsius) or keep temperatures at least well below 3.6 degrees Fahrenheit (2 degrees Celsius) above pre-industrial levels.
Climate activists at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, also expressed their commitment to the cause, with one group unfurling a banner that read “Tax the super-rich! Fund a just and green future.”
United Nations climate chief Simon Stiell said the door remains open for the US to rejoin the pact. However, he noted that the science behind climate change has not changed, despite political shifts.
European leaders believe sticking to the Paris Agreement will bring economic benefits, with business leaders like IKEA’s CEO Jesper Brodin stating that it can be a success story for businesses.
Critics from the Global South, however, warn that vulnerable nations and communities will bear the brunt of intensifying climate-related disasters.
Source: https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/european-leaders-davos-vow-stick-paris-climate-agreement-117932931