Lippert praises Korea’s climate change efforts

Politics

Published: 23 Sep. 2016, 20:08

Lippert praises Korea’s climate change efforts

U.S. Ambassador to Korea Mark Lippert, left, and Climate Change Center Chairman and former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo emphasized the importance of continued U.S.-Korea cooperation to curb climate change in line with international efforts like the Paris Agreement at a forum on Friday co-hosted by the U.S. Embassy to Korea and the Climate Change Center. [PARK SANG-MOON]

U.S. Ambassador to Korea Mark Lippert on Friday praised Korea’s continued efforts to combat climate change on a global scale, including President Park Geun-hye’s consistent support for early ratification of the Paris Agreement.

“We applaud President Park’s consistent support for early ratification of the Paris Agreement and the Republic of Korea’s leadership on the global effort to combat climate change,” Lippert said, “and are very supportive of the fact that it has been quickly sent to the National Assembly for debate and consideration.”

Addressing a crowd of some 60 people, including members of the Climate Change Leadership Academy of the Climate Change Center, which hosted the event with the U.S. Embassy to Korea on Friday, the ambassador urged the international community to take part in efforts against the “catastrophic global impact” of climate change.

“We are at a crucial time as we near the threshold for bringing the Paris Agreement into force,” the ambassador said.

“Just a few days ago, on Sept. 21 in New York City, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon hosted world leaders in New York where over 30 countries, including Brazil, Mexico and Argentina, formally ratified the Paris Agreement.”

That brings the number of countries that have signed the global agreement to tackle climate change to 60, which puts it one step closer to coming into force before the end of the year.

At least 55 countries representing 55 percent of global emissions must sign on for the code to be legally enforceable, and the current standing of global emissions represented by the 60 countries amounts to some 47.5 percent.

“Anyone can do the math, we are now very close,” Lippert said. “Countries that have not yet ratified it can play a critical role in reaching this milestone.”

The Climate Change Center chairman and former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo celebrated the bilateral efforts to curb climate change.

“The United States and Korea have always been cooperating on this,” Han said. “The leadership of the United States and the technology and commitment of Korea are definitely necessary for successful action concerning climate change.”

BY ESTHER CHUNG [chung.juhee@joongang.co.kr]