COP21: How did world leaders react to Paris climate agreement?

In the US, Secretary of State John Kerry hailed the outcome as “a victory for all of the planet and future generations”. According to the White House, “this agreement sends a strong signal to the private sector that the global economy is moving towards clean energy, and that through innovation and ingenuity”.

Despite reservations, China also backed the deal. In the words of Xie Zhenhua, China's special representative on climate change: “It is true that the agreement is not perfect, and there are some areas in need of improvement. However, this does not prevent us from taking a historic march forwards. The agreement is fair and just, comprehensive and balanced, highly ambitious, enduring and effective. It sends a strong and positive signal the world is moving to a low-carbon economy.”

Expressing hope that the structure of the deal – with its regular five-year reviews – would encourage global cooperation to find technological solutions to cut emissions and protect poor countries from climate change, Brazilian Environment Minister Izabella Teixeira said: “I feel a new confidence in the political world’s ability to deal with climate change.”

Describing the outcome as “not only an agreement but a new ‘chapter of hope’ in the lives of 7 billion people,” Indian Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar nevertheless lamented that the deal could have been more ambitious: “The actions of developed countries are far below their historical responsibilities and fair shares.”

Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop said Australia was scheduled to review its climate policies in 2017. “We will consider what more needs to be done at that time. This will give us comfort and confidence that we are working in collaboration with almost 200 other countries, including the major emitters the US and China,” she said.

Japanese Environment Minister Tamayo Marukawa hailed the spirit of international cooperation. "For the first time in the history of mankind, all countries could take part in the discussion of the global warming issues in the international format. We highly appreciate the agreement reached," she said.

As for the EU, European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker declared that
“this robust agreement will steer the world towards a global clean energy transition”.

For analysis of what the Paris climate deal means for natural refrigerants, please return to R744.com in the coming days and weeks.