Jordan takes part in ceremony to sign Paris climate agreement

AMMAN – Deputising for His Majesty King Abdullah, Environment Minister Taher Shakhshir on Friday joined the signing ceremony of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change held at the United Nations headquarters, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

On behalf of the government, Shakhshir signed the agreement and told the UN radio that Jordan's support lies in minimising greenhouse gasses' emissions by 14 per cent, noting that Jordan is committed to implementing 70 projects worth $5.5 billion. 

Delivering Jordan's speech at the signing ceremony, Shakhshir said the agreement inspires Jordan to have a major role in international effort despite lack of resources, highlighting the Kingdom's “pioneering role” in development, human rights and peace and sustainability under the UN umbrella.  

Around 60 world leaders and representatives of 155 countries attended the ceremony, during which the minister said that since the 2015 UN Climate Change Conference, Jordan began working on implementing a political framework for climate change. He said that the most important steps taken by Jordan include having the Water Ministry embed the concept of climate change in its new strategy for 2016 whereas the Energy Ministry is working on speeding up its efforts regarding the renewable energy sector.

Moreover, the Agriculture Ministry is working on incorporating the concept in all its programmes for pasture management and food security, Shakshir said, highlighting that other ministries are working on implementing national goals in cooperation with the private sector, NGOs and civil society institutions. 

The changes to the population and the development process in recent years made it hard to reach long-term plans for sectors related to the climate, Shakhshir said, adding that there is a need for flexibility and renewability in planning and execution.  He stressed Jordan’s commitment to taking all the necessary legal measures to ratify the agreement after signing it. 

Signing the agreement is still open and ends on April 21, 2017 and for it to be put into force, it should be signed and ratified by 55 countries representing 55 per cent of the total global warming gas emissions, Petra reported. 

The most significant points in the agreement include limiting the global warming to 2^oC above the pre-industrial levels, reviewing commitments every five years and increasing financial aid to southern countries, in addition to devising a reviewing mechanism every five years for national commitments that remain optional, while ensuring the first obligatory review is made in 2025, Petra added.