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There have been global demonstrations, such as this one in Dhaka, Bangladesh, calling for industrialized nations to do more to save the planet from overheating [Xinhua]
Minister of Environmental Affairs Edna Molewa told the press that the US has a pivotal role to play in what is fast become the most critical issue for the global community.
In June, US President Donald Trump signed an executive order to withdraw from the agreement citing that it was unfair to his country and that it required to be renegotiated so that it does not impose uneven restrictions on Washington.
In September, there was controversy regarding the US position when US media published reports that said Washington would not pull out of the accords.
The White House quickly dismissed those reports and said Trump’s executive order was final.
Trump’s decision was lambasted by world leaders at the time.
Molewa says that the world community cannot afford not to “stay the course”.
“We must maintain the political momentum and demonstrate through our collective actions that we will stay the course, honor our commitments, and deliver future cycles of progressively more ambitious contributions,” Molewa said.
She said she would represent South Africa at the 23rd Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP 23), in Germany in November.
The BRICS Post with inputs from Agencies
