US pushes for climate change deal before Trump takes office

(Baonghean.vn) - US Secretary of State John Kerry said the Obama administration will do everything possible to implement a global agreement to combat climate change before Donald Trump takes office.

The above statement was made by Mr. Kerry during his visit to New Zealand before the 22nd Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP22) with the participation of representatives of nearly 200 countries in Marrakesh, Morocco.

At this event, countries will focus on discussing the key points of the Paris Agreement, as well as the technology and financial policies needed to ensure the achievement of the document's goals.

US Secretary of State John Kerry talks with New Zealand scientists about climate change on November 12. Photo: Reuters.

Mr. Trump has called global warming a Chinese hoax designed to limit the competitiveness of American manufacturers. He has also announced that he will withdraw from the Paris Agreement on climate change, despite the agreement of President Obama and China. In addition, the new US President will stop paying for UN climate change programs.

Mr. Kerry declined to speculate about what Trump might do about the Paris Agreement, noting that there is sometimes a difference between campaigning and actual administration.

"Until the end of the Obama administration on January 20, we intend to do everything we can to fulfill our responsibility to future generations to address the threats to life on the planet," Kerry said.

The Paris Agreement was adopted at the 21st Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP21) held in Paris, France last December, which stipulates a series of climate protection measures to keep the average global temperature increase within 1.5-2 degrees Celsius compared to pre-industrial levels.

Nearly 200 countries have joined the Paris Agreement and it has been ratified by 55 countries, representing 55% of total global emissions, including the US, China, India, Canada, Brazil and the European Union (EU).

Phuong Thao

(According to Reuters)