As members of the Luxembourg public gathered in the City to march for the climate, Prime Minister, Minister of State, Xavier Bettel and Minister of the Environment, Carole Dieschbourg, were in Paris to attend the opening of the 21st Climate Conference (COP21) on Monday 30 November 2015.

From 30 November to 11 December 2015, the COP21 meeting will be bringing together delegates from 195 countries and the European Union and nearly 50,000 participants, including 25,000 official delegates from governments, intergovernmental organisations, UN agencies, NGOs and civil society. The objective of this international mass meeting is to obtain a binding global agreement on climate between all parties concerned which would look to keep global warming below 2°C.

The first day was dedicated to around 150 Heads of State and Government who officially launched COP21 with a call to action against global warming. After the welcome by French President, François Hollande, and Secretary General of the United Nations, Ban Ki-Moon, Prime Minister Bettel attended the opening ceremony of COP21 where he delivered a speech.

The Luxembourg Prime Minister called 2015 a pivotal year for the planet. "After the negotiation on the agreement on Financing for Development in Addis Ababa and the adoption of the 2030 agenda for sustainable development, the finalising of the Paris climate agreement is essential to allow humanity to accelerate its transition to a more sustainable society and economy, for a fairer and more equitable world," stated Xavier Bettel.

He then warned against the consequences of climate change in its harmful consequences on every society which affects the prospects of future young generations.

"Luxembourg is calling for an ambitious and credible, binding and inclusive agreement, which addresses mitigation and adaptation without neglecting the aspect of loss and damage which is so important for the most vulnerable populations," the Prime Minister commented before emphasising that to limit the temperature increase to 2°C at the most meant that it was crucial to agree on a level of less than or close to zero emissions by 2100; a dynamic mechanism for regular review of the goals as well as clear rules to ensure the transparency of the process.

 

Photo by ME (L-R: Luxembourg Prime Minister, Xavier Bettel; Environment Minister, Carole Dieschbourg)