The new ZenScreen MB16ACE is a portable 15.6-inch Full HD display that effectively doubles available workspace when using the monitor in conjunction with a typical 1080p laptop - meant for business travellers.

It weighs 0.7kg (1.56 lbs) and comes in at just 8mm thick. It also comes with a new and improved smart case.

It features an anti-glare IPS panel that is TUV Rheinland-certified for flicker-free operation at any brightness level.

Meanwhile, the TUF Gaming VG27AQL1A aims at demanding gamers with an all-around combo of fresh styling, a high 165Hz refresh rate and incredibly low response time (1ms MPRT), IPS display for vivid colors and wide viewing angles, a GPU-friendly 2560x1440 resolution, and the unique ELMB (Extreme Low Motion Blur) Sync technology from ASUS.

According to the company, a host of exclusive features in the VG27AQL1A aim to give users full control over the display: GameVisual has six display presets to optimize visuals based on the game or application currently in use, while GamePlus adds persistent visual elements to the screen, like a crosshair or FPS counter, with just a few clicks of the display's 5-way OSD joystick.

It also features ASUS Eye Care technology, featuring a flicker-free backlight and low blue light technology to help prevent eye strain during longer gaming sessions.

Source: IANS

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By Arul Louis

United Nations, Oct 5 (IANS) The spate of hurricanes that have leveled island nations in the Caribbean and devastated parts of the United States are a reminder of the urgency of climate action, Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said on Wednesday.

Scientists are clear that such extreme weather "will be the new normal of a warming world," Guterres said while appealing for aid to the nations devastated by the recent hurricanes.

"A warmer climate turbocharges the intensity of hurricanes," he said. "Instead of dissipating, they pick up fuel as they move across the ocean. The melting of glaciers and the thermal expansion of the seas means bigger storm surges."

"Hurricane Irma, which devastated Barbuda, was a Category 5 hurricane for three consecutive days - this is the longest on satellite record," he said giving examples of the severity of the changes in weather. "Irma's winds reached 300 kilometers per hour for 37 hours -- the longest on record at that intensity."

"Hurricanes Harvey and Irma marked the first time that two Category 4 storms made landfall in the United States in the same year" and "they were followed by Hurricane Maria, which decimated Dominica and had severe impacts across Puerto Rico".

Harvey and Irma devastated parts of Texas and Florida in the US.

Renewing his call for implementing the Paris climate change agreement, Guterres said: "The world has the tools, the technologies and the wealth to address climate change, but we must show more determination in moving towards a green, clean, sustainable energy future."

He appealed for donations of $113.9 million for relief in the countries in the Caribbean affected by the hurricanes.

"I regret to report, the response has been poor," he said.

India's External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj announced a contribution of $200,000 for relief in the region at a meeting of Caribbean Community (CARICOM) ministers here last month.

Guterres said: "I commend those countries that are showing solidarity with the Caribbean countries at this time of dire need, including those doing so through South-South cooperation."

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has listed Dominica, Cuba, Turks and Caicos, Sint Maarten, Antigua and Barbuda, Dominican Republic and Haiti among the countries affected by the hurricanes and requiring aid.

(Arul Louis can be reached at arul.l@ians.in)

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However, in the notice to the UN on Friday the US State Department said Washington would remain in the talks process, the BBC reported.

"Today, the US submitted a communication to the UN in its capacity as depositary for the Paris Agreement regarding the US intent to withdraw from the Paris Agreement as soon as it is eligible to do so," the US statement read.

"The US will continue to participate in international climate change negotiations and meetings... to protect US interests and ensure all future policy options remain open to the administration."

The US President drew international condemnation in June when he first announced his intention to withdraw.

He said the deal "punished" the US and would cost millions of American jobs.

Friday's announcement was seen as largely symbolic as no nation seeking to leave the pact can officially announce an intention to withdraw until November 4, 2019, the BBC report said.

The process of leaving then takes another year, meaning it would not be complete until just weeks after the US presidential election in 2020. Any new US President could then decide to rejoin the agreement.

In June, Trump had also indicated he was open to another climate deal "on terms that are fair to the US".

However, key signatories to the accord quickly ruled that out. The Paris Agreement took decades to finalise.

The US stance on climate change also caused divisions at the July G20 summit in Germany, the BBC said.

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After the bilateral talks, New Zealand Climate Change Minister Paula Bennett said : "China is a key player in the global response to climate change and the implementation of China's commitments under the Paris Agreement will be critical for its success."

Bennett met with China's top official for climate change, Zhang Yong, Vice Chairman of China's National Development and Reform Commission, for the first ministerial dialogue under the New Zealand-China Climate Change Cooperation Arrangement Memorandum.

The memorandum was signed by the two nations in 2014, Xinhua news agency reported.

Zhang's extended visit to New Zealand so soon after the Paris Agreement entering into force underscores New Zealand's standing within the international climate change community and the prospects for greater bilateral cooperation, Bennett's statement said.

The dialogue built on positive discussions in November 2016, with senior Chinese representatives at the COP 22 climate change negotiations in Marrakech, said Bennett.

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Quoting a survey held in 17 African countries, the Committee of the 22nd Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP22) said 86 per cent of the African youth consider themselves directly affected by climate change and note its effects every day.

"The African continent, which is particularly vulnerable to the effects of global warming, lacks the basic infrastructure necessary for sustainable economic and energy development," the COP22 committee said.

The survey conducted on the millenials -- those who reached adulthood by 2000 -- stated that 94 per cent of African youth consider making renewable energies the first source of energy used in Africa a priority.

"For 92 per cent of African millennials, the fight for climate also requires access to clean water for consumption", the committee said.

The survey found that 86 per cent of youth notice more frequent and unpredictable rains, 79 per cent report on increased diseases of crops and livestock, 77 per cent note the progress of desertification and 73 per cent note the increase in forest fires.

The 73 per cent youth consider access to water and 71 per cent believe that the development of renewable energies will be the most relevant initiatives to combat global warming.

"69 per cent of the youth want to be part of the fight against global warming and consider that they can achieve it by separating waste," the COP22 steering committee said.

It also added that 53 per cent of African youth believes that government is not doing enough to combat the consequences of climate change, such as more forest firing and the water scarcity.

"These consequences have an impact on agriculture and food security. Africa will have to triple its agricultural production by 2050 to meet the needs of a population that will have doubled," the committee said.

It praised the initiative of Moroccothat aims to secure financing for the adaptation of African agriculture and to increase agricultural productivity by securing 30 per cent of the investment plan from 2020 for the adaptation of developing countries.

The study was carried out from 7 to 16 November 2016 by CG Consulting on behalf of the COP22 Steering Committee in Morocco,Egypt, South Africa, Algeria, Angola, Cameroon, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Nigeria, Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

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Pakistan has also enacted the National Energy Efficiency and Conservation Act, 2016, to promote effective conservation and efficient use of energy, Hamid said on Tuesday, reports Associated Press of Pakistan.

The minister led a Pakistani delegation to participate in COP22 Conference held in Morocco, which provided an opportunity to signify achievements made in addressing climate change.

He said the world community was informed that Pakistan's contribution to global warming was minimal, and added, "We emit less than 1 per cent of total annual global greenhouse gas emissions. Yet we are ranked amongst the top ten countries most vulnerable to climate change."

The world community was also informed that Pakistan faces several major risks relating to climate change, including glacial melt, variable monsoons, recurrent floods, rise in sea level, higher average temperatures and higher frequency of droughts, he said.

He added that millions of people were affected and colossal damage was caused on recurring basis.

"These threats pose major survival concerns for Pakistan, particularly in relation to country's water security, food security and energy security. They also have enormous adverse consequences for all socio-economic sectors, impeding our ability to promote sustainable growth and development and economic prosperity of our people," the minister highlighted.

The minister said Pakistan has developed a National Sustainable Development Strategy and has become perhaps the first ever country whose National Assembly passed a unanimous resolution adopting the agenda.

Pakistan Parliament was also the first in the world to become completely "green" by converting 100 per cent to solar energy.

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Reategui also said that the conference, which paved the way for the Paris Agreement, has boosted "its credibility at the international level" and has proved the nation's "unfailing commitment to fight climate change", MAP news agency reported.

In a press release, received by MAP-Latin America, Reategui expressed the group's congratulations for "the success of this important event" and hailed the significance of its achievements under the leadership of King Mohammed VI.

Peru, as host country of COP20, hailed Morocco's efforts for hosting COP22 as well as its endeavour in the effective implementation of the Paris Agreement.

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"The Moroccan presidency is committed to perpetuating the momentum and mobilisation efforts during its 2017 mandate of the COP22," Mezouar said during the 32nd session of the Ministerial Conference of La Francophonie on Thursday, MAP news agency reported.

While hailing the results of this global event held in Marrakech, he stressed that everyone will remember this COP, such as "the COP of action, the COP of inclusiveness, the COP of the commitment of all".

Mezouar noted that the global climate action has taken a new dimension in Marrakech with the flourishing of structuring initiatives on key themes of sustainable development such as the Triple A initiative, launched by Morocco, promoting development in Africa, the global partnership for renewable energies and energy efficiency, which concerns the development of green energy and the rapid transformation of the global energy system.

The Minister said this COP, held in the African continent, responded to the call to place Africa at the heart of the global reflection.

He added that many initiatives have been launched to promote the sustainable development of the continent, mainly focusing on renewable energies and agriculture.

In this regard, Mezouar said that the African summit of action, which was chaired by King Mohammed VI on the sidelines of the COP, reinforced this momentum by reaffirming the commitment of the African leaders in promoting global efforts in order to combat climate change.

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New Zealand had joined countries at the 2016 UN climate change conference, COP22 (the 22nd session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change), in supporting to the Marrakech Proclamation, which highlighted the global momentum on tackling climate change, Xinhua news agency quoted Bennett as saying.

"The COP22 global meeting has reaffirmed New Zealand's absolute commitment to playing our part in the global action to reduce climate change," said Bennett.

"It was also an opportunity to have fruitful discussions on issues important to New Zealand such as how to reduce emissions from agriculture and how to create high integrity international carbon markets," she said in a statement.

"New Zealand has a fair and ambitious target of reducing emissions by 30 per cent below 2005 levels by 2030. I have several work streams in place which will help form an effective plan to meet that target."

Climate campaigners and environment groups have criticised the New Zealand government for its lack of a plan to tackle emissions and for encouraging the exploration for fossil fuels in its waters.

New Zealand ratified the Paris Agreement, agreed in December last year, on October 5.

Earlier this month, the opposition Green Party said the government needed to "real evidence" of a plan to reduce New Zealand's emissions, which were up 19 per cent since 2008.

The international campaign group, Greenpeace, has called for a summer of action to highlight the government's "sham plan" on climate change, saying the country was forecast to meet 80 per cent of its target by offsetting emissions in the international carbon market.

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The Marrakech proclamation is "the best way for us to move forward in the fight against the problems triggered by climate change", Farhan Haq said on Friday.

The document "affirms and consolidates the spirit of global cooperation that we have seen in Paris", he said.

The UN official welcomed the "courageous leadership" shown by the world leaders in Marrakech, by pledging to make the economies of their countries "greener" and to pursue their goal of "carbon neutrality".

"It is a very ambitious step forward that goes beyond the Paris Agreement," Haq said, adding that UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon hopes that "other countries will join this ambitious quest".

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Marrakech, Nov 18 (IANS) A high-level summit on climate action in this Moroccan city has brought together global leaders to make a range of announcements, which are accelerating action to fast-track the implementation of the Paris Climate Change Agreement, the UNFCCC said on Friday.

Governments, international organisations, cooperative initiatives and non-government stakeholders clearly demonstrated how their commitments to addressing climate change are maturing into concrete actions, the UNFCCC said on the concluding day of the two-week-long summit that was mostly overshadowed by US President-elect Donald Trump's comments to cut off funding to climate change programmes.

At the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change yearly summit, climate champions Laurence Tubiana of France and Hakima El Hait of Morocco jointly launched Marrakech Partnership for Global Climate Action.

It aims to provide a strong roadmap for how the UNFCCC process will catalyse and support climate action by parties (government) and non-party (non-government) stakeholders in the period from 2017-2020, giving effect to the existing arrangements as agreed at Conference of Parities (COP21) in Paris, it said.

The Marrakech Investment Committee for Adaptation (MICA) Fund is the first ever private adaptation and resilience investment vehicle with a $500 million blended finance fund, combining concessional finance and private investment capital.

On renewable island energy, the Maldives will be partnering with the International Renewable Energy Agency to increase political momentum behind rapidly scaling up renewable energy and energy efficiency in Small Island Developing States.

Over 20 countries signed the framework agreement of the International Solar Alliance (ISA) -- India's ambitious programme of bringing 120 countries closer.

ISA was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi last year along with French President Francois Hollande at COP21, the Paris climate summit.

The Framework will be kept open as many more countries are expected to join in the coming days. It will enter into force with ratification by 15 countries.

At this summit named COP22, 19 African capital markets authorities and exchanges, accounting for 26 African countries, have signed and endorsed the Marrakech Pledge for Fostering Green Capital Markets in Africa.

Under Global Environmental Facility, 47 projects were approved, totalling $390 mn for mitigation and leveraging almost $4 billion, not counting Convention obligation projects. For adaptation, mobilisation of $87 mn for 13 projects, leveraging $332 mn in co-financing.

On forests, Indonesia announced it is implementing a moratorium on clearing super-high-carbon intact peatlands. The action builds on Indonesian President Joko Widodo's announcement at last year's Forest Action Day in Paris, to end new and review existing peat concessions.

Colombia has announced plans to close the forest frontier as a key component of a post-conflict future. Efforts include focusing development on non-forest lands, implementing strong tenure reform, and placing very large areas of forest under indigenous peoples' control.

Indian company Dalmia Cement and Helvetia insurance group committed to use 100 percent renewable power across their operations and join RE100.

Nearly 200 nations have also reaffirmed their political commitment to a global climate momentum that they say is "urgent" and "irreversible" at the climate talks.

"We call for the highest political commitment to combat climate change, as a matter of urgent priority," 197 parties to the UN's climate convention stated in the Marrakech Action Proclamation, issued on the penultimate day of the climate talks.

"Our climate is warming at an alarming and unprecedented rate, and we have an urgent duty to respond," it said.

"This climate summit -- held after the Paris one -- has been more successful in moving ahead. There were many attempts to drag it for various reasons. That did not happen and it has moved forward on its track. This (Marrakesh) I consider as a success. For us, we completed our ISA (International Solar Alliance), a major achievement. We should not see this as a standalone," Indian Environment Minister Anil Madhav Dave told reporters here on Friday.

This yearly summit saw 25,000 people from all over the world, for all sectors to showcase their commitment to climate action and to discuss ways to expand shared efforts.

(Vishal Gulati is in Marrakech at the invitation of the Global Editors Network to cover COP 22. He can be contacted at vishal.g@ians.in)

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After meeting Fiji Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama, Mezouar congratulated Fiji on the organisation of the next COP, noting that "this is the first time that a Pacific Island state will organise this conference".

"We are ready to support Fiji to ensure that COP23 meets expectations and carries on the action initiated by the COP22 towards the concrete implementation of the Paris Agreement," Mezouar said.

He noted that "the island states are the first to be threatened by the climate change".

"It is a great responsibility for a small island state like Fiji to organise an event of this magnitude," Bainimarama said.

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Marrakech, Nov 18 (IANS) The Climate Vulnerable Forum -- a group comprising over 40 countries -- on Friday agreed to meet 100 per cent domestic renewable energy production as rapidly as possible and pledged to take actions to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels.

At the high-level meeting on the UN Climate Change Conference at Marrakech (UNFCCC-COP22), they agreed that climate action does not limit development, but strengthens it as they resolved to meet 100 per cent domestic renewable energy production latest between 2030 and 2050.

A communique, adopted by the countries, called for greater ambition emphasising that any country with nationally determined contributions not yet compliant with its fair share consistent with the Paris Agreement's long-term goal must update contributions by 2020 at the latest.

It also called on honouring commitments, investing in climate finance and the need to transform the market place.

The Marrakech Communique and the Marrakech Vision adopted recognise the steps the Climate Vulnerable Forum will undertake to keep the dangers of climate change to an absolute minimum and extend this to maximise the advantage taken of the benefits of climate action.

"Without stronger climate action, we might not survive, and this is not an option," said an official statement quoting Ethiopia's Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change Gemedo Dalle.

Mattlan Zackhras, Minister in Assistance to the President of the Marshall Islands, said that this is a turning point in climate leadership and transformation that is bound to secure a safer future for vulnerable communities.

"We are pioneering the transformation towards 100 percent renewable energy, but we want other countries to follow in our footsteps in order to evade catastrophic impacts we are experiencing through hurricanes, flooding and droughts," Zackhras added.

Founded in 2009, the Climate Vulnerable Forum is an international partnership of more than 40 nations from Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, Latin America and the Pacific working to tackle global climate change through collaboration on common goals, communications and the sharing of expertise and experience.

(Vishal Gulati is in Marrakech at the invitation of the Global Editors Network to cover COP22. He can be contacted at vishal.g@ians.in)

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By Vishal Gulati

Marrakech, Nov 18 (IANS) Nearly 200 nations have reaffirmed their political commitment to a global climate momentum that they say is "urgent" and "irreversible" at the UN climate talks that were mostly overshadowed by US President-elect Donald Trump's comments to cut off funding to climate change programmes.

"We call for the highest political commitment to combat climate change, as a matter of urgent priority," 197 parties to the UN's climate convention stated in the Marrakech Action Proclamation, issued on the penultimate day of the UN climate talks here on Thursday night.

"Our climate is warming at an alarming and unprecedented rate, and we have an urgent duty to respond," it said.

"Indeed, this year, we have seen extraordinary momentum on climate change worldwide, and in many multilateral fora. This momentum is irreversible -- it's being driven not only by governments, but by science, business and global action of all types at all levels," they said.

"Our task now is to rapidly build on that momentum, together, moving forward purposefully to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and to foster adaptation efforts, thereby benefiting and supporting the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its Sustainable Development Goals," the nations said.

The parties -- 196 nations and the European Union bloc -- also called for an increase in the volume, flow and access to finance for climate projects, alongside improved capacity and technology, including from developed to developing countries.

The developed countries also reaffirmed their $100 billion mobilisation goal.

The countries unanimously called for further climate action and support, well in advance of 2020, taking into account the specific needs and special circumstances of developing countries, the least developed countries and those particularly vulnerable to the adverse impacts of climate change.

It also talked about an increase in the volume, flow and access to finance for climate projects, alongside improved capacity and technology, including from developed to developing countries.

The proclamation also showed solidarity with the countries most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change.

The Paris Agreement of 2015 aims to limit average global warming to 2 degrees Celsius by cutting greenhouse gases from burning fossil fuels.

Hailing the agreement, the countries affirmed their commitment to its full implementation and its rapid entry into force in the light of different national circumstances.

Meanwhile, Britain became the 111th country to ratify the Paris Agreement that came into force on November 4 when more than 55 countries, as well as countries representing more than 55 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions, ratified the deal.

Trump has called climate change a "hoax" and vowed to cut off funding to UN climate change programmes. He has also said he would reduce US involvement in the Paris climate accord.

Without the US, delegates and analysts at the climate summit here were sceptical about the success in tackling one of the greatest challenges of this century.

"Coming just a week after the US election results, the Marrakech Action Proclamation sends a strong signal that parties are committed than ever to advance solutions to the most pressing global challenge of our times, despite international headwinds," said an independent climate expert here.

Liz Gallagher, Senior Associate, E3G, said: "Today's proclamation in Marrakech was received with thunderous applause. It just goes to show how serious countries are about getting on with their climate action plans in order to protect their economies and their people. It was a touching moment of solidarity after a bruising week."

"It's rare that so many countries unite to make a public declaration on any policy subject. This demonstrates just what a global consensus there now is around climate change... they will not let the election of Donald Trump hijack the important work being done to secure the safe future of our planet," Mohamed Adow of Christian Aid, which monitors the climate negotiations on behalf of poor countries, said in a statement.

(Vishal Gulati is in Marrakech at the invitation of the Global Editors Network to cover COP22. He can be contacted at vishal.g@ians.in)

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By Kushagra Dixit

Marrakech, Nov 17 (IANS) The island nations, least developed and developing countries on Thursday voiced their concerns and worse fears on climate change, and reminded the developed countries of their financial commitments to combat it.

Speaking on the second day of the high-level segment of the 22nd Conference of the Parties of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP22), the island countries said they "can't afford any increase in temperature anymore".

Roosevelt Skerrit, the Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of Dominica, said: "Our concerns for the planet has to be above all considerations. We have to combat climate change. COP22 should be used for immediate actions on the Paris Agreement. We cannot afford to lose the momentum."

Island countries said their climate change action is "unshakeable" and that they are not very happy with the progress at COP22, especially in terms of the loss and damage.

"Humanity is at a critical juncture, we need immediate actions to fight climate change. We need it for ourselves and the future generations...our actions must be urgent," Skerrit added.

Disappointed over the lack of finance and low level of commitments, representatives form South Sudan said the $100 billion commitment of the developed countries for the developing countries is not enough.

"Just $100 billion for climate action is not enough. This needs to be be increased to trillions," Joseph Barto from the South Sudan Ministry of Environment said.

He also sought that long-term finance and mitigation projects should be supported by the developed countries as well. "Let us rise to the challenge of climate change. There is no other planet human race will move to," he added.

India, which spoke on Wednesday, also reminded the developed countries of their commitments and urged them to provide effective finance, technology transfer and capacity building support to developing countries.

One of the few countries with zero-carbon footprint, Bhutan said that climate change has started affecting its people.

"We are vulnerable to climate change. It is hitting hard on our people. Looking forward that the poorest countries avail all necessary support for adaptation," said a Bhutan government representative.

Mustapha Zaher, Director General of National Environment Protection Agency of Afghanistan, reiterated his country's commitment to curb emission to lay the foundation for a sustainable future.

He said there are challenges in terms of security and socio-economic condition of the people, but the country is ready to fight global climate change.

Afghanistan has established its national committee for the implementation of Paris Agreement and its national goals under the Kyoto protocol, Zaher said.

"We renew our commitment to take part an active part in the negotiations," he said.

Meanwhile, Civil Society, which spoke on behalf of the most vulnerable and least developed countries at a press conference here, said that the "indecisiveness" of the developed countries in Marrakech Climate Change talks will lead to more "climate genocide" back home.

"Albeit the Paris Agreement has failed to show a path to limit temperature well below 2 degrees Celsius and 1.5 degrees Celsius and failed to bind countries under strict legal provisions in implementing the agreement, we hope that major emitters would start discussions on its implementation and enhance their support for the mitigation," said Azeb Grimi from the Least Developed Countries Watch.

(Kushagra Dixit is in Marrakech at the invitation of TERI to cover COP22. He can be contacted at kushagra.d@ians.in)

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Marrakech, Nov 17 (IANS) Britain has ratified the historic Paris Agreement that aims to cut greenhouse gas emissions by shifting away from fossil fuels to limit global warming, its Climate Change and Industry Minister Nick Hurd said here on Thursday.

With this, Britain becomes the 111th country to ratify the Paris Agreement that came into force on November 4 when more than 55 countries as well as countries representing more than 55 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions ratified the deal.

"The UK is ratifying the historic Paris Agreement so that we can help to accelerate global action on climate change and deliver on our commitments to create a safer, more prosperous future for us all," Hurd told reporters here.

"COP22 in Marrakesh is an important milestone which marks the shift from aspiration to implementation. We are going to use this positive momentum to grow the UK low-carbon sector, which is already worth over 46 billion pounds, as we continue to provide secure, affordable and clean energy to our families and businesses," he said.

Hurd, here to attend the ongoing 22nd session of the Conference of Parties (COP22) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change with over 25,000 delegates from nearly 200 countries, told this IANS correspondent on the sidelines of the summit that the Britain's ratification has sent a powerful message to the global community that "we are ready to fight climate change".

During a meeting on climate finance, Hurd said: "We have to be clear that this $100bn is a stump - it's clearly not enough we need to mobilise significantly more money than that. We have to turn the billions into trillions."

Hailing Britain's decision to ratify the Paris Agreement, British charity Christian Aid's International Climate Lead Mohamed Adow told IANS the country that dominated the first industrial revolution is now positioning itself to capitalise on the second.

"During a week in which the international climate negotiations have experienced the shock of the US elections, this backing by America's oldest and strongest ally shows that support for global action to tackle climate change remains resolute," he said.

Adow said ratifying the Paris Agreement is also a recognition by the first country to industrialise that it has a duty to help and protect the very poorest and most vulnerable people in the world suffering the effects of climate change.

"We expect the UK to know back up this ratification with concrete actions that will rapidly cut its emissions in all sectors," he added.

(Vishal Gulati is in Marrakech at the invitation of the Global Editors Network to cover COP 22. He can be contacted at vishal.g@ians.in)

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Marrakech, Nov 17 (IANS) A new global initiative led by the UN Environment Programme to conserve peatlands -- world's largest terrestrial organic soil carbon stock -- was launched at the UN climate summit here on Wednesday to help reduce global greenhouse gas emissions.

The Global Peatlands Initiative will mobilise governments, international organisations and academia in a targeted effort to protect peatlands, which contain almost 100 times more carbon than tropical forests.

"Even with current pledges under the Paris Agreement, we are heading for a global temperature rise of over three degrees Celsius this century," UN Environment Programme head Erik Solheim told IANS.

"This will cause misery and chaos to millions of vulnerable people, so we cannot afford to let any opportunity to reduce emissions slip away," he said.

Last year's raging fires in Indonesia's peatlands cloaked Southeast Asia in toxic haze.

Peat, which is used as a fuel, consists of partially decayed plant material, which has accumulated under waterlogged conditions over long periods of time.

The tropical peatlands are home to a number of endangered species, including Sumatran tigers, gorillas and orangutans.

Solheim, who says preserving the peatlands "needs no extra costs but only the political will", said taking urgent action through the Global Peatlands Initiative could help limit climate change.

"It's critical that we do not reach the tipping point that will see peatlands stop sinking carbon and start spewing it into the atmosphere, destroying any hope we have of controlling climate change," he said.

Despite their importance, peatlands are coming under increased threat, mainly from conversion for palm oil and pulp wood production. Drainage of peatlands can result in environmental problems, most visible being the enormous fires in Indonesia and Russia in the recent years.

In Indonesia, the worst days of the peat forest fires resulted in emissions greater than the daily emissions from the entire US economy. In the Nordic and Baltic states, drained peatlands are responsible for 25 per cent of all emissions.

The impacts of peatland degradation go beyond emissions.

Indonesia's Peatland Restoration Agency head Nazir Foead told IANS that his country has set up a target to oversee the restoration of 2.6 million hectares of peat in five years that would help prevent future fires.

He said President Joko Widodo has introduced measures to protect the peatlands that also include banning the use of new land for palm oil cultivation.

Recent studies have suggested that the 2015 Indonesian peat fires affected 43 million people, indirectly killed up to 100,000 people through the toxic haze and led to $16.1 billion in overall economic damage (twice the value of the Aceh Tsunami Reconstruction).

The Global Peatlands Initiative, led by the UN Environment with support from over a dozen partners, is the largest collaborative effort on peat so far. It aims to increase the conservation, restoration and sustainable management of peatlands in countries with significant peat deposits, delivering benefits for agriculture, biodiversity and the climate.

Studies say greenhouse gas emissions from drained and burning peatlands account for up to five per cent of anthropogenic carbon emissions.

(Vishal Gulati is in Marrakech at the invitation of the Global Editors Network to cover COP 22. He can be contacted at vishal.g@ians.in)

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Marrakech, Nov 17 (IANS) Six G20 countries -- including the US, Australia and Canada -- have failed to take action on domestic emissions reduction in line with their Paris Agreement pledges, while Germany, France and China are among those that did it, a new study said here on Thursday.

These six G20 countries are "either behind on meeting their 2020 targets or have not set any," said the report, "Assessing the Consistency of National Mitigation Actions in the G20 with the Paris Agreement", published by two international institutes.

The report released at the 22nd session of the Conference of Parties (COP22) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change says Argentina, Saudi Arabia and Turkey are the other G20 defaulting countries.

The publishers of the report are the Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment, and the ESRC Centre for Climate Change Economics and Policy at the London School of Economics and Political Science.

The report by Alina Averchenkova and Sini Matikainen says these six countries "lack overall framework legislation or regulation on climate change, and need to move from sectoral to economy-wide targets and extend the time-frame of their targets to 2030".

However, six other G20 countries -- Brazil, China, France, Germany, Italy and Britain -- together with the European Union as a bloc were found to have undertaken action that is "either completely or mostly consistent with the key requirements of the Paris Agreement".

The results from the "Paris consistency monitor" are based on an assessment of past and present actions by G20 countries against three indicators.

The indicators are consistency of domestic emissions reductions targets with those pledged in nationally-determined contributions, progress towards meeting 2020 emissions reduction targets pledged under the Copenhagen Accord and the Cancun Agreements, and past performance in ratcheting up the ambition for climate change mitigation, said the authors.

An accompanying detailed study of climate change policies in the European Union, China and the US examined some of the key drivers, including economic factors, institutional settings and features of the political systems, as well as the role of public opinion, interest groups and party politics.

The report on "Climate Policy in China, the European Union and the United States: Main Drivers and Prospects for the Future", was released jointly on Thursday by both institutes in collaboration with think-tank Bruegel.

The report draws attention to challenges for the US arising from this month's presidential election.

"For the US, bottom-up action by cities or states could help ratchet up ambition at the federal level. A few proactive states should champion more ambitious US climate policy. However, this seems unlikely to happen under the recently-elected Donald Trump," it said.

Earlier, US-based environmental group Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) in its report released here pointed out that the G20 countries continue pumping billions in overseas coal development, undermining the landmark Paris Agreement and clean energy deployment.

Over the past nine years, the G20 countries -- led by China, Japan, Germany, South Korea and the US -- have kicked in $76 billion to further coal development in countries such as Vietnam, South Africa, Australia and Indonesia, it said.

In Paris last December, nearly 200 countries agreed to slash their dependence on fossil fuels in a concerted effort to limit global temperature rise to well below 2 degrees Celsius over pre-industrial level in order to avoid a climate crisis.

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change states the burning of fossil fuels is contributing to the rise in global temperatures.

(Vishal Gulati is in Marrakech at the invitation of the Global Editors Network to cover COP 22. He can be contacted at vishal.g@ians.in)

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Marrakech, Nov 16 (IANS) India on Wednesday batted for easy access to adequate and predictable climate finance to developing countries to meet their commitments to reduce carbon footprint under the Paris Agreement.

Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Anil Madhav Dave, in his address at the high-level segment at the ongoing 22nd session of the Conference of Parties (COP22) here, said it is needed to ensure that the intended nationally determined contributions are nationally determined, country driven and comprehensive.

"The contributions should include all pillars of action, including adaptation, mitigation and means of implementation.

"Access to adequate and predictable climate finance, especially from funds under the convention, in both pre-2020 and post-2020 period remains an overriding concern for developing countries," he said.

Propagating India's vision of promoting renewable energy, Dave said: "Despite our serious resource constraints and developmental priorities, India is undertaking ambitious adaptation and mitigation actions, by increasing energy efficiency across sectors and making greater use of renewables."

Noting India has already achieved about 45 GW of grid connected renewable energy capacity, about 10-fold increase in over a decade, he said: "Our airports are using solar energy and will move towards becoming carbon neutral. We are working on greening of India's extensive railway routes and highways."

Dave said the Indian government is mobilising domestic funds through various schemes, including a cess of $6 per tonne on coal.

Tracing the historical ties between India and Morocco, the host of the COP22 that saw delegates and head of states of nearly 200 countries, Dave said the relations between both the countries dated back to the 14th century when famous Moroccan traveller and writer Ibn Batuta came to India.

"Over the years, we have always enjoyed cordial relations, with significant growth in our bilateral relations," he added.

(Vishal Gulati is in Marrakech at the invitation of the Global Editors Network to cover COP22. He can be contacted at vishal.g@ians.in)

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Marrakech, Nov 16 (IANS) US Secretary of State John Kerry on Wednesday said that President-elect Donald Trump's views on climate change might change when he "assumes office" and the Paris Agreement has a framework that is "built to last".

Speaking at the UN Climate Conference here, Kerry tried to dispel doubts about the new US government's policies, saying it is a little bit "different when you're actually in office compared to when you're on the campaign trail".

Without mentioning Trump by name, Kerry, in his 45-minute address to the media, where scientists and international delegates were also present, said: "While I can't stand here and speculate about what policies our President-elect will pursue.

"I will tell you this, in the time that I have spent in public life, one of the things I've learned is that some issues look a little bit different when you're actually in office compared to when you're on the campaign trail."

Without mincing words, Kerry, who has attended every major United Nations climate change summit since 1992, said an "overwhelming majority of Americans know that climate change is happening and want the US to honour its commitments under the Paris Climate Agreement".

He got a big applaud from the audience on this remark that the Paris Agreement deal has as a framework that is "built to last".

Trump has called climate change a "hoax" and vowed to cut off funding to United Nations climate change programmes.

He also said he would reduce the US involvement in the Paris climate accord, which entered into force on November 4 and aims to drastically reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

On pledges by the US on emissions reduction, a confident Kerry, who linked 20 million new asthma cases in India to coal-related air pollution, said: "No one should doubt the determination of citizens of the US who know that climate change is happening and are determined to keep their commitments."

"In a large part, the world is beginning to move together forward towards a clean energy future."

He was categorical in saying that "market place will dictate that not the government. Because of market decisions I don't think that can or will be reversed".

"Market-based forces are taking hold all over the world. That's what we said in Paris. Businesses have responded. Most have understood that investing in clean energy simply makes good economic sense.

"Ultimately clean energy is expected to be the largest market the world has ever known. No nation can do well sitting on the sideline, handicapping its businesses from new opportunities."

"Failing to fight climate change would be a moral failure, a betrayal of devastating consequences with 2016 on track to be the hottest year on record," said the speech of the outgoing Secretary of State, who also talked about his last week's trip to Antarctica where scientists alarmed at the fast-changing climatic trends.

He said the glacier retreat is more in past 15 years than in entire previous century.

Sounding an alarming note, he said: "Time is not on our side. The world is already changing at an increasingly alarming rate with increasingly alarming consequences. At some point even the strongest sceptic has to acknowledge that something disturbing is happening."

"No one has the right to make decisions affecting billions of people based solely on ideology without proper input," he added.

In a tweet, Kerry said: "Met with partners from world's major economies at #COP22 to discuss shared work to #ActonClimate & implement historic #ParisAgreement."

(Vishal Gulati is in Marrakech at the invitation of the Global Editors Network to cover COP22. He can be contacted at vishal.g@ians.in)

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By Vishal Gulati

Marrakech, Nov 16 (IANS) US Secretary of State John Kerry on Wednesday said he hopes President-elect Donald Trump's views on climate change might change when he "assumes office".

Speaking at the UN Climate Conference here, Kerry tried to dispel doubts about the new US government's policies, saying it is a little bit "different when you're actually in office compared to when you're on the campaign trail".

In his 45-minute address to the media, where scientists and international delegates were also present, he said: "I can't stand here and speculate about what policies our President-elect will pursue."

"I will tell you this. In the time that I have spent in public life, one of the things I've learned is that some issues look a little bit different when you're actually in office compared to when you're on the campaign trail."

Without mincing words, the US Secretary, who has attended all COPs in his career, said an "overwhelming majority of Americans know that climate change is happening and want the US to honour its commitments under the Paris Climate Agreement".

He got a big applause from the audience on this remark that the Paris Agreement deal has as a framework that is "built to last".

US President-elect Donald Trump has called climate change a "hoax" and vowed to cut off funding to the United Nations Climate Change programmes.

He also said he would reduce the US's involvement in the Paris climate accord, which entered into force on November 4 and aims to drastically reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

(Vishal Gulati is in Marrakech at the invitation of the Global Editors Network to cover COP 22 . He can be contacted at vishal.g@ians.in)

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By Vishal Gulati

Marrakech, Nov 16 (IANS) The implementation of the Paris Climate Agreement on Wednesday got a major boost with the launch of a $55 million fund by 11 developed countries to help deployment of clean and green technologies by the developing nations.

The Capacity-building Initiative for Transparency (CBIT) -- a new trust fund hosted by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) -- was declared "open for business" by GEF CEO and Chairperson Naoko Ishii at the ongoing 22nd session of the Conference of Parties (COP 22) here.

Eleven donors that have pledged more than $50 million include Australia, Canada, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Sweden, Switzerland, Britain, the US and the Walloon Region (Belgium).

Others, including Japan, have publicly declared their intention to support the fund.

Likewise, 360 businesses and investors on Wednesday reaffirmed their financial support and sought continuation of the US commitments towards the Paris Climate Agreement by the upcoming new administration in order to provide the long-term direction needed to limit global warming.

"Increasing transparency and enhancing countries' capacity for monitoring and evaluation are lynchpins for the Paris Agreement," the GEF Chairperson said.

"The CBIT will allow us to see early action on the ground, and help countries scale up their efforts to deliver their national climate plans," Ishii said.

Ishii said she is "very happy that the GEF was able to respond quickly to the request from Paris COP21 to establish the CBIT" and noted that a number of donors have already lined up to support the initiative.

It is "equally important", she said that "we have already received requests for support from developing countries, which reflects the importance that many countries attach to this issue".

At the same time, the first set of projects have been approved by the GEF for implementation in Costa Rica, Kenya and South Africa.

Patricia Espinosa, Executive Secretary of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), said: "This is yet another positive and progressive initiative launched here in Marrakech that underlines the way donor countries are raising support for the climate action aspirations of developing ones."

"Confidence and cooperation are going to be key to the success of the Paris Climate Change Agreement -- now and over the years and decades to come. This initiative supports these twin aims as the world looks to build a climate secure future," she added.

In another major financial commitment, 360 businesses and investors from more than a dozen Fortune 500 firms from 35 states reaffirmed their support for the Paris Climate Agreement and the need to accelerate the transition to a low-carbon economy at home and around the world.

"Implementing the Paris Climate Agreement will enable and encourage businesses and investors to turn the billions of dollars in existing low-carbon investments into the trillions of dollars the world needs to bring clean energy prosperity to all," wrote the powerful business group in a statement at a press interaction here.

"Failure to build a low-carbon economy puts American prosperity at risk."

Among the US businesses signing the statement are DuPont, Gap Inc., General Mills, Hewlett Packard Enterprises, Hilton, HP Inc., Kellogg Company, Levi Strauss & Co, L'Oreal USA, NIKE, Mars Incorporated, Schneider Electric, Starbucks, VF Corporation and Unilever.

"It's vital that the business community demonstrates its ongoing commitment to tackling climate change," Barry Parkin, Chief Sustainability and Health and Wellbeing Officer at Mars Incorporated, said.

Asking US President Barack Obama and President-elect Donald Trump to continue with low-carbon policies, the statement sought continued participation by the US in the Paris Climate Agreement in order to provide the long-term direction needed to limit global warming.

(Vishal Gulati is in Marrakech at the invitation of the Global Editors Network to cover COP22 . He can be contacted at vishal.g@ians.in)

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Marrakech, Nov 16 (IANS) Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy announced at the climate change conference here that his country will introduce a new law to ensure it reduces carbon emissions.

"Spain is fully committed to this task," Xinhua news agency quoted Rajoy as saying on Tuesday.

Rajoy renewed Spain's commitment to fight against climate change and reiterated his promise to push for a specific law on the matter.

Rajoy is in Marrakech for the UN Climate Change Conference, along with more than 70 heads of state and government, Efe news reported.

The Spanish Prime Minister hailed the Paris Agreement on climate change signed almost a year ago, calling it the biggest environmental challenge facing the world.

"Now we have to move from agreements to action. Only in this way will we achieve... making life on the planet healthier for current and future generations," he said.

As a sign of his commitment, Rajoy said that one of the first moves of his new government was to send the Paris Agreement to Parliament for ratification.

The move was delayed as Spain was paralysed for 10 months due to the absence of a fully functioning government in Madrid.

On climate change, he said, all political elements within Spain were sensitive.

He hoped that the ratification process would move quickly.

He was speaking to the media after the meeting and was accompanied by Spanish Agriculture, Food and Environment Minister Isabel Garcia Tejerina.

Rajoy also noted that Spain was already on the road to fulfilling the greenhouse gas emission objectives for 2020 and was working to fulfil the ones for 2030, a move which he called "ambitious".

He reiterated his promise to send to Parliament a climate change bill incorporating all the commitments and instruments necessary for the Spanish economy to transform itself.

He did not set a specific date for ending hydrocarbon use in Spain, but insisted that his country would comply with the objectives set for 2020.

The Paris Agreement includes emissions goals legally not binding, but merely a promise by each country to try to fulfil the goals established under it.

The Spanish Prime Minister said climate change was the "biggest challenge facing society" and commented that following the Paris Agreement, the "challenge is to build on those foundations and put them into action".

"Only by doing this will we be able to make a healthier life on the planet for future generations and also for ourselves," he concluded.

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Marrakech, Nov 16 (IANS) British charity Christian Aid on Wednesday slammed Britain's four biggest banks for what it said was lack of preparedness in the face of climate change, calling on them to shift their customers' money from 'dirty to clean energy'.

In a new campaign, the charity has asked people to write to their bank demanding that their money be used to drive action on climate -- and not fuel the problem.

Christian Aid's analysis of the British banks, led by Senior Private Sector Advisor Ken Boyce, said: "Financial institutions themselves need to move much more quickly in scaling up investment in renewables while phasing out investments in fossil fuels."

His assertions came as a prelude to the British government event on the role of Green finance on the sidelines of the ongoing 22nd session of the Conference of Parties (COP22) here.

The big four banks -- Barclays, RBS, Lloyds and HSBC -- have all signed the Paris Pledge for Action in which they affirmed their commitment to act in support of the realisation of the Paris Agreement's goals.

"We tried to assess what concrete actions and commitments they are taking and gave them an overall grade," an official statement quoting Boyce said.

He said the banks were still financing the building of coal-fired power stations which would lock countries into high carbon infrastructure, making it harder for them to meet their climate ambitions.

"They are still financing oil and gas companies far more than renewables. And they are reluctant to set measurable targets for scaling up support for renewables and phasing out support for fossil fuels.

"As the grave problems caused by climate change intensify, the financing of new fossil fuel projects such as these will become increasingly risky financially. Banks that fail to take these risks into account are failing to safeguard customers' money."

He added: "It's no surprise to us that Legal & General have announced this innovative new climate investment fund. They were one of the top performing asset managers in our analysis, with a B grade, and it's great to see forward thinking companies like Legal & General leading the way. We now need to see other financial institutions following suit."

Christian Aid's analysis found that Britain financial institutions are not moving quickly enough.

(Vishal Gulati is in Marrakech to cover COP22 at the invitation of Global Editors Network. He can be contacted at vishal.g@ians.in)

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Dhaka, Nov 16 (IANS) The lives of millions of people will be saved by the implementation of the Paris Agreement, Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has said.

"Lives of millions of people would continue to be at risk unless we deliver to our commitments on climate change issues," she said pointing out that Bangladesh is one of the first countries that signed and ratified the Paris Agreement.

Hasina made the statement at the 22nd edition of the Conference of the Parties (COP 22) in Marrakech, Morocco, on Tuesday, Dhaka Tribune reported.

According to Hasina, Marrakech climate conference bears a special significance as the historic agreement signed last year "creating a solid ground for a meaningful cooperation in combating climate change impacts", is expected to be enforced this year.

"This is the time to move forward to implement decisions into actions," she said, adding that the Paris Agreement successfully created a solid ground for a meaningful cooperation in combating climate change.

"We must be prepared to share equitable burden to fulfil our promises of making the world a safer and better place for our future generation.

"Unless, we address this challenge of climate-induced migrant issue appropriately, we would never be able to attain the objectives of Sustainable Development Goals," she said.

Hasina said Bangladesh is also the first country to set up "Climate Change Trust Fund" of $400 million from its own resources.

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Marrakech, Nov 16 (IANS) Health and environment officials from over 24 countries have committed to reducing the annual 12.6 million deaths due to pollution, the World Health Organisation and United Nations Environment Programme have said.

On the sidelines of the ongoing 22nd session of the Conference of Parties (COP22) here, the officials on Tuesday signed up to the declaration for health, environment and climate change.

The goal is to reduce pollution-related deaths through a new global initiative to promote better management of environmental and climate related risks to health.

According to WHO, around 12.6 million deaths a year are associated with environmental pollution.

Of these, an estimated 6.5 million deaths (11.6 per cent) are due to air pollution.

"This landmark declaration has raised consensus for better articulation of our efforts to find a solution to major health, environmental and climate challenges," Moroccan Environment Minister Hakima El Haite said in a statement.

"Together, we commit to ensuring that people -- their livelihoods, wellbeing, and particularly health -- are at the centre of the response to climate change," she said.

The declaration encourages the health and environment sectors to exchange experiences, technical expertise and best practices to enhance health and protect the environment. Global and comprehensive links between these two sectors do not yet exist.

Most pollution-related deaths occur in low and middle-income countries.

However, outdoor air pollution remains prevalent in high-income countries as well, with nine out of 10 people worldwide exposed to air pollution that exceeds WHO air quality guidelines for fine particulate matter, it said.

Major sources of air pollution include inefficient modes of transport, household fuel and waste burning, coal-fired power plants, and industrial activities.

According to WHO, hundreds of thousands more deaths each year are due to direct climate change impacts, including heat waves, extreme weather emergencies, drought and increased diarrhoeal disease and vector borne disease transmission.

These deaths are projected to rise if climate change is not addressed.

For reducing the risk, Moroccan Health Minister El Houssaine Louardi said: "We know that most health risks from climate change are preventable."

"By establishing this initiative we can work together on strengthening health systems, investing in disease prevention and common sense measures," he said.

The declaration recognises that well designed policies to protect the environment will result in reducing the global burden of disease attributable to the environment, as well as reducing the rising rate of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) such as stroke, heart disease, cancers and chronic respiratory diseases.

NCDs account for nearly two-thirds -- or 8.2 million -- of deaths associated with unhealthy environments.

"The devastating consequences of air pollution affect both the climate and health. They are seen everywhere from smog-encircled mega-cities to village dwellings filled with smoke from indoor cooking. Yet virtually all air pollution is manmade and often excessive," said WHO Director-General Margaret Chan.

"By working together, across sectors, and with partners, we can help ensure that people, their livelihoods, wellbeing and particularly their health are at the centre of the response to climate change," she said.

(Vishal Gulati is in Marrakech to cover COP22 at the invitation of Global Strategic Communication Council to cover COP22. He can be contacted at vishal.g@ians.in).

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Marrakech, Nov 16 (IANS) Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy renewed Spain's commitment to fight against climate change and reiterated his promise to push for a specific law on the matter.

Rajoy is in Marrakech for the UN Climate Change Conference, along with more than 70 heads of state and government, Efe news reported on Tuesday.

The Spanish Prime Minister hailed the Paris Agreement signed almost a year ago on climate change, calling it the biggest environmental challenge facing the world.

"Now we have to move from agreements to action. Only in this way will we achieve ... making life on the planet healthier for current and future generations," he said.

As a sign of his commitment, Rajoy said that one of the first moves of his new government was to send the Paris Agreement to Parliament for ratification.

The move was delayed as Spain was paralyzed for 10 months due to the absence of a fully functioning government in Madrid.

On climate change, he said, all political elements within Spain were sensitive.

He hoped that the ratification process would move quickly.

He was speaking to the media after the meeting and was accompanied by Spanish Agriculture, Food and Environment Minister Isabel Garcia Tejerina.

Rajoy also noted that Spain was already on the road to fulfilling the greenhouse gas emission objectives for 2020 and was working to fulfil the ones for 2030, a move which he called "ambitious".

He reiterated his promise to send Parliament a climate change bill incorporating all the necessary commitments and instruments for the Spanish economy to transform itself.

He, however, did not set a specific date for ending hydrocarbon use in Spain, but he insisted that his country would comply with the objectives set for 2020.

The Paris Agreement includes no legally binding emissions goals, but merely a promise by each country to try to fulfil the goals established under it.

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Marrakech, Nov 15 (IANS) As the joint high level segment of the Marrakech climate talk was underway here, over 20 countries signed the framework agreement of the International Solar Alliance (ISA) here on Tuesday -- India's ambitious programme of bringing 120 countries closer.

ISA was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi last year along with French President Francois Hollande at COP21, the Paris climate summit.

The Framework will be kept open as many more countries are expected to join in the coming days. It will enter into force with ratification by 15 countries.

"This will make ISA an innovative, action oriented and sui generis international and intergovernmental Treaty-based organization that will be registered under Article 102 of the UN charter," the Indian Environment Ministry said here in a statement.

The signing ceremony was held here at Es Saadi Gardens, a venue other than Bab Ighli here. The Marrakech Climate Change Negotiations will go on till November 18.
Interestingly France was not among the signatories.

An important aspect of ISA is striving to keep the operating costs minimal and therefore not necessitate mandatory contributions.

As per several agencies including International Renewable Energy Agency (IREA)l, the cost of solar PV cells will drop by 60 per cent by 2025.

On the occasion, Union Minister for Environment Anil Madhav Dave expressed gratitude to the Heads of State and representatives from prospective member countries of the ISA. He said that within 11 months of launch, ISA activities have increased significantly, and many initiatives are under implementation.

With legal framework in place ISA will be a major international body headquartered in India. He also thanked the Government of France for its continued support.

He further added that creating common buyers' market for solar finance, technology, innovation, capacity building etc., will lead to higher quality, lower costs, products better tailored to needs, collaborative innovation, and technology ownership.

India's domestic solar programme is one of the most ambitious and largest in the world with targets of achieving 175 Giga Watts as the renewable energy by 2022 of which 100 GW is solar.

(Kushagra Dixit is in Marrakech at the invitation of TERI to cover COP-22. He can be contacted at kushagra.d@ians.in)

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Marrakech, Nov 15 (IANS) Reminding the world of its commitments to the climate change, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon called for ending the fossil fuel subsidy.

"The choices we make today may have a catastrophic effect on climate change for thousands of years. All countries must work on elimination of fossil fuel subsidy," he said at the opening ceremony of joint high-level segment of the Marrakech climate talks, along with the King of Morocco.

Ban stressed the scaling up of clean energy sources and said the world needs to anticipate and reshape the development of their future plans.

As the 22nd Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP22), members of civil society and over 300 organisations demanded a halt to all fossil fuel extraction and making an urgent transition to clean energy.

India alone spends hundreds of billion of dollars to subsidise fossil fuels like petrol, diesel, coal and kerosene oil.

Much of this subsidy is aimed at over 300 million people in India who don't have access to electricity.

Ban Ki-moon, attending his last UN Climate Conference as UN Secretary General, said he expects the United Nations will continue to advocate moral interventions, whenever needed.

"I leave you with the hope that you will continue with the responsibility to protect our beautiful earth," he said.

The UN chief along with Moroccan King Mohammed VI reminded the developed countries of their financial commitments to developing nations by mobilising $100 billion before 2020.

"Developed countries must provide financial assistance to developing countries, especially in southern Africa and island states, as they are the most vulnerable," the Moroccan King said.

Ban stressed that the world has to come up with strategies to mitigate climate change aggressively by 2018 and make a transition from fossil fuel to renewable energy.

"The Paris Agreement is a new dawn for global climate action. Countries have strongly supported the agreement in their own national interest by pursuing the common goals. It has to be translated into complete goal to protect and safeguard humanity," said Ban.

The UN chief has been part of 10 COPs, the COP22 at Marrakech being his last before he demits office.

He lauded the contribution and collaboration from companies, government and non-governmental organisations for their global commitments and actions.

Speaking of lessons he learned from his experiences, Ban asked the world to rely on science and work on mechanism to reduce emission to meet the set targets by 2020.

"The UN must continue to champion the science. Nationally Determined Contributions alone will not get us out of danger zone but science also," he said.

"We have no right to gamble for the future generation. We have to fund and expand clean energy sources and reshape our environment in a more resilient manner. We have to advance progress and invest in resilient approaches," Ban said.

(Kushagra Dixit is in Marrakech at the invitation of TERI to cover COP-22. He can be contacted at kushagra.d@ians.in )

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Launched on Monday during the EU Energy Day at COP22, the platform is meant to provide a forum for discussing energy policy objectives and measures, and to identify and implement joint initiatives.

The Union for the Mediterranean includes 28 EU members and 15 southern and eastern Mediterranean countries, including Morocco.

"The EU's vision for a clean energy transition is one where the decarbonisation challenge is turned into an opportunity for the modernisation and the competitiveness of our economy," said Miguel Arias Canete, Commissioner for Climate Action and Energy, EU, in his keynote address.

Canete said that the EU's Smart and Clean Energy package will be announced by the end of November.

"Morocco depends almost entirely from abroad for its supply of fossil fuels, with an average growth rate of 6.5 per cent during the last 10 years," Moroccan Interim Minister of Energy Moulay Hafid Elalamy said, adding that "Security of supply remains one of the major challenges of our energy model."

Other keynote speakers included US Secretary of Energy Ernest Moniz.

Panel discussions covered Energy for Cities, Energy for Economic Growth, Energy for Rural Areas and Energy for Islands.

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Marrakech, Nov 15 (IANS/MAP) UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has expressed his deep admiration and respect for Moroccan King Mohammed VI and his country for hosting the 22nd Conference of the Parties (COP 22) on climate change.

"Throughout my tenure as the chief of the UN, I have worked closely with the King and I look forward to meet the Sovereign," he said at a press conference on the sidelines of COP22 on Monday.

Ban Ki-moon underlined "the crucial importance of the COP22, whose mission is to ensure that the world is united while facing the challenges of climate change," adding that UN member states showed "great enthusiasm and passion".

"This is the manifestation of the leadership of the Kingdom of Morocco at this COP22," he said.

"Morocco is an important member of the UN, not only in Africa and the region of north Africa and the Middle East, but within the concert of nations," the UNSG said, hailing Morocco's contribution to international peace and security.

"The Kingdom has always set an example through its democratic institutions and its action for sustainable development by being at the forefront of efforts to tackle the challenges of climate change," he added.

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Marrakech, Nov 15 (IANS) The developed world should increase and accelerate their support to the developing nations bearing the brunt of climate change like rising sea levels, United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Executive Director Erik Solheim said here on Tuesday.

"The world has promised to help developing countries adapt to the disruption and hardship caused by changes such as altered rainfall patterns and rising sea levels," an official statement quoting Solheim said.

Under the Paris Agreement, wealthy nations have pledged to mobilise $100 billion a year by 2020 to help the developing countries reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to rising temperatures and to boost that figure from 2025.

"We must keep that promise, narrow the adaptation finance gap and prevent it from widening further by re-doubling our efforts to stabilise the world's climate," said the UN Environment head, who is here to attend the high-level segment of the 22nd Conference of Parties (COP 22).

The UN Environment's Adaptation Finance Gap Report 2016 shows the cost for the developing countries of adaptation alone could range from $140 billion to $300 billion by 2030, and from $280 billion to $500 billion by 2050 -- up to five times higher than previously estimated.

In an exclusive interview with IANS ahead of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, Solheim said: "Yes, Marrakech will be an action meeting."

He said the developing world is more vulnerable to climate change than the developed.

"Heat and extreme weather is a bigger concern in the South than in the North. South Asia and small island development states have contributed little to the emissions causing climate change, yet they must expect the most severe consequences."

"This is why we need to act in accordance with the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities. And that's the reason why the most developed countries must contribute more financially and share technology," he said.

Fortunately, he said, many developing nations are taking the lead in the green shift.

According to the UN Environment's Emissions Gap Report, released last week, the world is still heading for global warming of 2.9 to 3.4 degrees Celsius this century, much beyond the recommended limit of two degrees.

The UN Environment research shows total bilateral and multilateral finance for climate change adaptation has been increasing steadily and reached $25 billion in 2014.

Of that sum, $22.5 billion went to help countries in regions, including South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa, with projects such as water and wastewater management.

In future, much of this support will be distributed through development finance institutions. By the end of 2015, just over $35 billion, or 76 per cent of the resources pledged to adaptation-focused climate funds, had been approved for disbursement.

The Green Climate Fund, which is expected to play a significant role in financing adaptation, has set a target of committing $2.5 billion by the end of 2016. Its board approved 10 projects last month, spanning both mitigation and adaptation.

A total of $1.2 billion has been committed so far.

The Least Developed Countries Fund has cleared projects worth more than $170 million, but does not yet have funding available.

"Developing countries are understandably keen to receive the funds that they urgently need for adaptation," Solheim said.

"Building resilience in developing countries could now prevent climate-induced natural disasters and economic collapse later, and we should do all we can to identify and fund deserving projects as quickly as possible," the UN Environment head said.

(Vishal Gulati is in Marrakech at the invitation of the Global Strategic Communication Council to cover COP 22. He can be contacted at vishal.g@ians.in)

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Marrakech, Nov 14 (IANS) The G20 countries continue pumping billions in overseas coal development and Japan's plans to build dozens of so-called high-efficiency coal power plants, both of which undermine the landmark Paris Agreement and clean energy deployment, two new reports said on Monday.

Over the past nine years, the G20 countries -- led by China, Japan, Germany, South Korea and the US -- have kicked in $76 billion to further coal development in countries such as Vietnam, South Africa, Australia and Indonesia, US-based environmental group Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) said in its report.

The report, "Carbon Trap: How International Coal Finance Undermines the Paris Agreement and Clean Energy Deployment", was released on Monday by the NRDC and the Oil Change International on the sidelines of 22nd session of the Conference of the Parties (COP22) here.

In Paris last December, nearly 200 countries agreed to slash their dependence on fossil fuels in a concerted effort to limit global temperature rise to well below 2 degrees Celsius over pre-industrial level in order to avoid a climate crisis.

The Kiko Network also released a report here challenging Japan's plans to build dozens of so-called high efficiency coal power plants.

Essentially this means that, says the NRDC report, on one hand, some of the world's leading polluters have pledged to lower climate-changing carbon pollution within their borders under the Paris Climate Change Agreement, while on the other, these countries are facilitating a massive boom in that carbon pollution by financing coal development elsewhere, and the planet ultimately suffers.

"Our climate knows that countries can't have it both ways. They can't publicly boast about slashing climate pollution at home while also continuing to finance enormous coal development abroad," said report co-author Han Chen, international climate advocate at the NRDC.

"These nations need to clean up their act. They should stop pouring billions into dirty energy and instead put more financial muscle behind clean, renewable energy, and energy efficiency. That will create jobs and protect the planet from climate catastrophe."

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change states the burning of fossil fuels is contributing to the rise in global temperatures.

Unfortunately, key governments continue to invest in projects that further the world's dependence on coal, making climate change worse.

An official statement quoting Belantara Foundation CEO Agus Sari said: "In Indonesia, companies are already divesting from coal investments due to the risk of stranded assets. We know that in Indonesia, coal will not solve our energy access issues, because what we need is greater investments in renewable energies suited to our geography."

"Japan and China are both leaders in renewable energy technology, yet instead of growing their share of the clean energy market, they are choosing to choke the planet by backing dozens of new coal-fired power plants around the world," said Alex Doukas, senior campaigner with the Oil Change International.

Japan has the most financing in the pipeline for future coal projects.

Kimiko Hirata, International Director of the Kiko Network, said: "Even after the historic Paris Agreement and the OECD agreement were reached, Japan is still investing significant amounts of money in coal and encouraging new projects -- ignoring the fact that there's no space in the global carbon budget to build new coal."

She said Japan cannot be proud of competing with China over spreading dirty energy all over the world.

"As a signatory to the Paris Agreement, Japan should stop financing coal immediately and stop causing health problems and climate disaster," Hirata said.

The third report released here on Monday by the Climate Analytics outlines what the Paris Agreement means for coal power globally. It says the world needs to reduce coal use, starting with the developed countries.

The study speaks to the world's energy plans going forward, how developed countries need to stop using coal by 2030 and China by 2040, if the world needs to keep well below 2 degrees.

It also links with the concepts of stranded assets, and the co-benefits of reducing coal use, for example, air quality gains.

(Vishal Gulati is in Marrakech in Morocco to cover COP22. He can be contacted at vishal.g@ians.in)

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By Kushagra Dixit

Marrakech, Nov 14 (IANS) In a shocking revelation, the 22nd session of the Conference of the Parties (COP 22) was informed that while the economic and human cost of the extreme natural disaster has been underestimated by 60 per cent, it annually forces about 26 million people into poverty.

According to the report presented before the delegates from across the world, the impact of extreme natural disasters is equivalent to a $520-billion global loss in annual consumption. It reveals that the combined human and economic impact on the poor and affected has been "underestimated by 60 per cent".

The report, "Unbreakable: Building the Resilience of the Poor in the Face of Natural Disasters", was presented by the World Bank and the Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery (GFDRR).

"Storms, floods, and droughts have dire human and economic consequences, with poor people often paying the heaviest price. Severe climate shocks threaten to roll back decades of progress against poverty," World Bank Group President Jim Yong Kim said.

The report comes at a time when the global climate diplomacy is underway at Marrakech through several negotiations, which so far has seen reservations from the developing countries, especially in the agriculture.

It underlines the importance of the urgency for climate-smart policies that better protect the most vulnerable.

"Poor people are typically more exposed to natural hazards, losing more as a share of their wealth and are often unable to draw on support from family, friends, financial systems, or governments," the report said.

The analysis was done in 117 countries and the effect on well-being, measured in terms of lost consumption, is found to be larger than asset losses.

The report added that because disaster losses disproportionately affect poor people, who have a limited ability to cope with them, the impact on well-being in these countries is equivalent to consumption losses of about $520 billion a year.

"Building resilience to disasters not only makes economic sense, it is also a moral imperative," Kim said.

Citing an example of an extreme event, the report gives example of Myanmar's 2008 Cyclone Nargis, which forced up to half the country's poor farmers to sell off assets including land, to relieve the debt burden following the cyclone.

"Economic and social repercussions of Nargis will be felt for generations," the report said.

The report points out that the resilience-building intervention, like early warning systems, improved access to personal banking, insurance policies and social protection systems (like cash transfers and public works programmes) would help countries and communities save $100 billion a year and reduce the overall impact of disasters on well-being by 20 per cent.

It says that such measures could help people better respond to and recover from shocks.

"Countries are enduring a growing number of unexpected shocks as a result of climate change. Poor people need social and financial protection from disasters that cannot be avoided," said Stephane Hallegatte, a GFDRR lead economist, who led preparation of the report.

(Kushagra Dixit is at COP22 in Marrakech. He can be reached at kushagra.d@ians.in)

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Emir Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani will also participate in the summit of African heads of state and government, the source added, MAP news agency reported on Monday.

At least 70 heads of state and government will take part in the COP 22.

The COP 22 is an opportunity to debate and discuss several issues relating in particular to agriculture, food security, energy, industry, transport and water.

The event is taking place in the village of Bab Ighli and around 20,000 delegates from 196 countries are gathering at the COP 22.

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