Climate Summit in Paris to catch world’s attention

By Ling Dequan, Researcher, Center for World Affairs Studies, Xinhua News Agency

As 2015 is drawing to an end, Paris will once again become the focal point of the "global village." From Nov. 30 to Dec. 11, the 21st meeting of "the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change" (Global Climate Change Conference) will be held here.

On November 23, "Earth Crisis", a huge ball, eight meters in diameter, weighing 2.3 tons and with a surface area of 200 square meters, was suspended 60 meters above the ground floor of the Eiffel Tower.

It reminds us of the impact of global warming, and calls for so-called "global villagers" to guard our homes.

The shadow of terrorist attacks in Paris still lingers. Tragedies are occurring elsewhere too, causing more alerts to ring in various places worldwide.

The world’s citizens denounce terrorism, but we have a long way to go to eradicate it.

Nevertheless, the Climate Change Conference will be held as scheduled in Paris and the city is ready to receive guests from various countries.

More than 190 governments will send representatives, with more than 80 heads of State or Government participating.

More than 3,000 reporters and 10,000 NGO members will also arrive. They will attend the opening ceremony on Nov. 30, which demonstrates courage against common threats.

Chinese President Xi Jinping will be in Paris on Nov 29-30 and his words are highly-anticipated.

This conference is expected to reach an agreement on an international mechanism to combat global warming and it would be implemented after 2020.

The Paris Conference will seek green low-carbon development and should maintain a balance on how to alleviate, adapt and finance related technologies. The Assembly should apply effective means for implementation.

Most nations have shown a positive attitude, but differences remain. The leaders are likely to push for final negotiations.

Chinese President Xi will deliver a speech to advocate global climate governance and endorse the agreement. Beijing expects to achieve comprehensive results.

Climate change is mainly caused by emissions from developed countries. Responsibilities and obligations of developed and developing countries differ, since the abilities to tackle climate change are different.

The Paris agreement should adhere to the "UN Framework Convention on Climate Change," but with differentiated responsibilities, fairness, and respective capabilities.

The Paris climate conference should make arrangements to reach an agreement on an international mechanism to address climate change after 2020.

Based on the Doha meeting, developed countries should step up actions to establish a foundation to address climate change after 2020, which should reduce emissions, and favor funds and technology transfers.

The Paris conference should deliver a clear signal on green, low-carbon development to the world and encourage development of low-carbon paths in line with their national conditions.

Different nations transfer their energy conservation and cope with climate change by conducting economic transformation and upgrading, guaranteeing energy security and addressing risks from climate changes. Financial support is crucial for that.

Developed countries should provide financial, technical support, along with giving US$100 billion annually by 2020, and continue on with greater support after 2020.

Beijing has responded by achieving a transformation of its development mode.

It’s exploring the low-carbon development mode. Last year, Chinese carbon dioxide emissions per unit of GDP dropped by 33.8 percent compared to 2005.

Beijing will intensify its controls on greenhouse gas emissions, and is expected to lower carbon emissions by 40% - 45% by 2020.

Beijing may shoulder greater international responsibility in line with national conditions, and according to its capacity.

On June 30, Beijing submitted China's Intended Nationally Determined Contributions to the Secretariat of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.

Last September, during Xi’s visit to the United States, the two countries issued a second joint statement on climate change.

Beijing has pledged to promote the "China Climate Change Fund for South-South Cooperation," which would support developing countries to cope with climate change.

We have only one earth and it’s the universal home for us. The forthcoming Paris Climate Change Conference would tackle climate change and safeguard our homeland. All parties should show solidarity to ensure success.