UN calls on G20 leaders to stick with Paris Agreement

After US President Donald Trump decided to withdraw the

US from the Paris Agreement, the UN's climate chief has called on G20

leaders toaddress climate change at the upcoming Hamburg summit in

northern Germany from July 7 to 8.

Patricia Espinosa,

Executive Secretary of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change,

told CGTN the situation regarding climate change is not clear, after G7

leaders showed divided opinions on climate change issues during the

Italy summit in May.

“There was a unanimous view by

six members, but there is a different opinion by the US. We don’t know

how this will unfold in the G20,” said Espinosa. “I think that in the

last few weeks there have been a lot of signals that point to the

importance of embarking on the agenda that address climate change.”

Espinosa thinks that G20, as a relevant actor in the

international community, will make a phenomenal impact on how the rest

of the world acts on climate change.

"Anything that G20 decides, the message that G20 sends out to the world, is always influencing what others will do."

Patricia Espinosa, Executive Secretary of theUnited Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, in an interview with CGTN

Since

the last G20 Summit in Hangzhou, the German government has been working

with other members to continue the commitment to tackling climate

change, especially in China.

Espinosa hopes the

summit in Hamburgwill inherit the achievements that were made in

Hangzhou last year, with all members agreeing to implement the Paris

Agreement on climate change.

"We are really hopeful that they are successful at the meeting in Hamburg,” saidEspinosa.

“The meeting in China was certainly a very crucial

meeting," said Espinosa. "In that framework, the ratification by the US

and China was announced. It was a moment marking the process towards

achieving full compliance of the two thresholds needed for entering into

force the Paris Agreement."

"It

(G20 Summit in Hangzhou) marks the beginning of the process that allows

us to have the Paris Agreement enter force in less than one year, which

is also very crucial for such a complex international instrument."

Patricia Espinosa, Executive Secretary of theUnited Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, in an interview with CGTN

Last year, China announced its willingness to make

changes to its financing system, reflecting its aim to solve the problem

of climate change by increasing green investment financing.

Espinosa

hopes green financing can be addressed during the meeting in Hamburg,

as it is crucial for achieving the goals of the Paris Agreement.

"I

would hope in that way (addressing green finance) to give continuation

to the efforts and commitment by China. Hopefully, other countries will

follow that example.”