South Africa Voices Dismay at US Exit from Paris Accord
Click to start listening
Synopsis
South Africa has expressed profound regret over the US decision to withdraw from the Paris Agreement, highlighting the moral responsibility of the US to lead in combating climate change while reaffirming its own commitment to global climate goals.
Key Takeaways
- South Africa regrets US withdrawal from the Paris Agreement.
- The withdrawal undermines international cooperation and responsibility.
- The US has a moral obligation to lead in emission reductions.
- Previous US administrations supported South Africa's climate initiatives.
- South Africa remains committed to the Paris Agreement goals.
Johannesburg, Jan 23 (NationPress) South Africa has voiced its deep dismay regarding the US decision to exit the Paris Agreement, as stated by a government representative on Thursday.
This development followed US President Donald Trump’s signing of an executive order on Monday that officially announced the country's intention to withdraw from the Paris Agreement.
South African Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Dion George, emphasized that this withdrawal signifies a relinquishment of global responsibility that undermines multilateralism, international law, and the trust between nations.
According to the minister, the Paris Agreement embodies the most adaptable and progressive strategy for confronting climate change. Every nation shares a collective duty to respond, albeit with varying capabilities as outlined in the Paris Agreement.
He pointed out that the United States, having played a significant role in escalating global warming and the climate crisis, bears a moral responsibility to spearhead emission reductions and assist developing nations in their contributions to global efforts, as reported by Xinhua news agency.
“We remember the considerable contributions made by prior US administrations to aid South Africa in its climate change initiatives, including the recent assistance for South Africa’s just energy transition partnership,” the minister remarked, urging the current US administration to honor its commitments under international law and to carefully assess the consequences of its withdrawal from the Paris Agreement.
George reiterated South Africa’s dedication to achieving the objectives set forth in the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and its Paris Agreement, while expressing optimism that the international community will persist in addressing climate change with the urgency it necessitates.
