Climate leadership at Paris talks: What have key world leaders said on climate change?

Barack Obama

Obama clearly want to make robust action on climate change a legacy of his presidency. He’s pushed through – despite many challenges – the Clean Power Plan to reduce emissions, extended clean water regulations that will affect polluting industries and announced a historic climate with China ahead of the Paris talks.

What he’s said at COP21:

What he said before:

Climate change is “one of the key challenges of our lifetimes and for future generations”

“What we need is an agreement that’s ambitious — because that’s what the scale of the challenge demands. We need an inclusive agreement — because every country has to play its part. And we need an agreement that’s flexible — because different nations have different needs.”

Analysis:

Xi Jinping

President Obama Hosts Chinese President Xi Jinping For State Visit

Chinese premier Xi Jinping has been making big strides towards tackling climate change – investing in and building more solar and wind than any other country in the world, as well as cracking down on coal-related air pollution – resulting in China’s emissions growth slowing down, which has helped the world’s emissions to stall. He’s planning a cap-and-trade system for carbon emissions. Xi also heralded an agreement with Obama to reduce emissions.

What he’s said at COP21:

What he said before:

“Climate change is a global challenge at which no country can stand on their own. Developed and developing countries have different historical responsibilities for climate change, and different development needs and capabilities. Just like in a car race: it would be neither reasonable nor fair to apply the same speed requirements to cars which have run far ahead and those which have only just left the starting point.”

“China is ready to play a constructive role and work for the timely conclusion of a comprehensive, balanced and strong agreement at the Paris conference.”

Xi Jinping said his country was making “unceasing efforts” in the fight against climate change.

Analysis:

China is not the same country as it was six years ago in Copenhagen. Coal consumption, the biggest driver of emissions, is declining whilst the country’s position has shifted through bilateral statements made with the US and France.  The statement basically wrapped up China’s announcements so far this year including it’s INDC and $3.1bn USD south cooporation finance.

Angela Merkel

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Germany’s Chancellor, Angela Merkel has been making efforts this year to herd world leaders into agreeing to decarbonisation – in a significant win for Merkel she got G20 leaders to agree to stopping emissions from burning fossil fuels by the end of the century. On the home front, Germany has a high proportion of coal in its energy mix – but apparently is mulling a lignite phase out. Merkel supports a global carbon trading system.

What she’s said at COP21

What she said before:

Climate change and prosperity have to go hand in hand…we cannot go without growth, we just have to generate it in a different way.”

“We must now agree on a binding review mechanism under international law, so that this century can credibly be called a century of decarbonisation.”

Vladimir Putin

Turkey Hosts The G20 World Leader's Summit

Not necessarily seen as a leader on climate change, there are question marks over whether the Russian PM believes the evidence it is happening. But he seemed to toe the line in his remarks at the Paris talks.

What he’s said at COP21

What he said before

The issues that affect the future of all people include the challenge of global climate change. It is in our interest to make the U.N. Climate Change Conference to be held in December in Paris a success.

Analysis:

Narendra ModiPrime Minister Of India Visits The UK

India’s PM Modi is undertaking a massive renewables push – especially solar, aiming for 100GW by 2022. But India, the world’s third biggest emitter – also has the goal of double coal power by 2020 – despite some pretty dire air pollution. Solar could be cheaper than coal in India by 2020.

What he’s said at COP21

“The prosperous still have a strong carbon footprint and the world’s billions, while countries at the bottom of the development ladder are seeking space to grow. So the choices are not easy… Democratic India must grow rapidly to meet the aspirations of 1.25 billion people – 300 million of whom are without access to energy. We are determined to do so, guided by an ancient belief that people and planet are inseparable, that human well being and nature are indivisible.”

What he said before:

“The excess of few cannot become the burden of many” “By changing our lifestyle and creating consciousness, it can help us deal with climate change.”

“Climate change is a major global challenge but it is not of our making. It is the result of global warming that came from prosperity and progress of an industrial age powered by fossil fuel.”

Analysis: There wasn’t a huge amount of instant analysis – but Modi’s speech (which followed an earlier address to a separate forum on the wonders of Solar) is perhaps the clearest indication of the battle ahead. Carbon space, common and differentiated responsibilities and clean finance. Modi held out the olive branch of a clean future for India – but he’ll negotiate hard.  

David Cameron  

The Queen And Senior Royals Attend The Commonwealth Heads Of Government Meeting - Day Two

UK prime minister David Cameron has wanted to be a climate leader. Apart from famously promising the ‘greenest government ever’ and posing with huskies – the PM has urged a global agreement in Paris in December, and signed a pledge to tackle climate change. His government has announced a phase out of coal by 2025 (it’s conditional) but also overseen a bonfire of renewables subsidies (apart from offshore wind).  

What he’s said at COP21:

 What he said before: “Climate change is one of the most serious threats facing our world. And it is not just a threat to the environment. It is also a threat to our national security, to global security, to poverty eradication and to economic prosperity.”  

Analysis:

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