Can Macron convince world leaders to commit to climate change?
Countries need to plug a £1.7bn funding gap left by the US
French President Emmanuel Macron is hosting world leaders at the One Planet Summit today - exactly two years after the historic Paris Agreement deal was signed and with some worrying statistics before him.
The original deal, a groundbreaking initiative to tackle climate change, was signed by 195 countries and by the European Union. Today, however, no major industrialised country is on course to meet the agreed commitment to keep global warming to below 2°C above pre-industrial levels - and the US has, controversially, withdrawn from the accord.
According to Politico, today’s summit, in the French capital, offers Macron “the chance to stress the gulf” between the himself and Trump on climate change.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
France is seeking to take the lead in climate talks “as the US steps back from UN-orchestrated efforts to prevent dangerous global warming”, the Financial Times adds.
Although President Trump is not attending, the US is sending an official delegation from its Paris embassy. Arnold Schwarzenegger, and California Governor Jerry Brown, were also expected to attend.
The meeting is likely to focus on the financial aspects of the deal, says the Daily Express. The 2015 agreement stipulates that each signatories should review and attempt to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions every five years, “but in order to make it a reality, Mr Macron and other world leaders will also need to plug a £1.7bn ($2.3bn) funding gap left by the impending departure of the United States”.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Cautious optimism surrounds plans for the world's first nuclear fusion power plant
Talking Point Some in the industry feel that the plant will face many challenges
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
2024: the year of Black country artists
In the Spotlight Beyoncé debuted 'Cowboy Carter' at the top of the country charts, shining a spotlight on artists like Shaboozey
By Theara Coleman, The Week US Published
-
Explore new worlds this winter at these 6 enlightening museum exhibitions
The Week Recommends Discover the estrados of Spain and the connection between art and chess in various African countries
By Catherine Garcia, The Week US Published
-
Why Assad fell so fast
The Explainer The newly liberated Syria is in an incredibly precarious position, but it's too soon to succumb to defeatist gloom
By The Week UK Published
-
Romania's election rerun
The Explainer Shock result of presidential election has been annulled following allegations of Russian interference
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Russia's shadow war in Europe
Talking Point Steering clear of open conflict, Moscow is slowly ratcheting up the pressure on Nato rivals to see what it can get away with.
By The Week UK Published
-
Cutting cables: the war being waged under the sea
In the Spotlight Two undersea cables were cut in the Baltic sea, sparking concern for the global network
By The Week UK Published
-
The nuclear threat: is Vladimir Putin bluffing?
Talking Point Kremlin's newest ballistic missile has some worried for Nato nations
By The Week UK Published
-
Russia vows retaliation for Ukrainian missile strikes
Speed Read Ukraine's forces have been using U.S.-supplied, long-range ATCMS missiles to hit Russia
By Arion McNicoll, The Week UK Published
-
Has the Taliban banned women from speaking?
Today's Big Question 'Rambling' message about 'bizarre' restriction joins series of recent decrees that amount to silencing of Afghanistan's women
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Cuba's energy crisis
The Explainer Already beset by a host of issues, the island nation is struggling with nationwide blackouts
By Rebekah Evans, The Week UK Published