G-20 leaders Isolate US, Say Paris Climate Accord is Irreversible

World leaders reiterate resolve to implement Paris Accord, leaving the US out in the cold.

The logo of the COP21 Climate Change Conference is seen on a Nissan LEAF electric car in Boulogne-Billancourt, near Paris, France. (Photo: Reuters)

India and 18 other members at the G-20 in Hamburg, Germany, threw their weight behind the landmark Paris climate agreement, from which Washington decided to pull out in June this year.

The two-day summit saw the Indian side making "significant contributions" on the resolve to counter terrorism and boost global trade and investment.

The summit saw violent protests where thousands of anti-capitalism protesters clashed with the police outside the venue.

The United State’s stance continues to remain against the Paris pact but other members have shown strong support, Merkel said.

While taking “note” of the US decision to withdraw from the Paris Agreement, the G20 communique said, “The Leaders of the other G20 members agree that the Paris Agreement is irreversible.”

As an important tool in our fight against corruption, tax evasion, terrorist financing and money laundering, we will advance the effective implementation of the international standards on transparency, including the availability of information in the domestic and cross-border context.

The communique said.

The leaders also called for completion of the IMF quota reforms and a new quota formula by 2019. Leaders said digitalisation offered an opportunity for creating new jobs but there was a need to impart necessary skills for the future workforce.

The leaders recognised the role of legitimate trade defence instruments and vowed to promote favourable environment for trade and investment.

The G20 group asserted the importance of fulfilling the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) commitment by developed countries –which will help provide means of implementation of the Paris accord. These include financial resources to assist developing countries with mitigation and adaptation actions in line with the Paris outcomes.

We reaffirm our strong commitment to the Paris Agreement, moving swiftly towards its full implementation in accordance with the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities.

The communique said

Trump in June announced that the US will withdraw from the Paris climate accord, saying the deal agreed by more than 190 nations unfairly benefited countries like India and China.

Trump’s decision had drawn sharp criticism from international leaders, business groups and green activists.

The objective of the Paris Agreement is to prevent an increase in global average temperature and keep it well below 2°C.

The Agreement was adopted on 12 December 2015, and ratified on 4 November 2016. The grouping agreed to meet next in Argentina in 2018, followed by Japan in 2019 and in Saudi Arabia in 2020.