The accord, agreed by developed and developing country leaders and backed by a majority of countries, will reinforce the need for domestic action on climate change globally, as the UK is itself doing through its low carbon transition plan.
The accord includes international backing for an overall limit of 2 degrees on global warming, agreement that all countries need to take action on climate change and the provision of immediate and longer term financial help to those countries most at risk of climate change.
The new Copenhagen accord will also list what each country is doing to tackle climate change including economy-wide commitments to cut emissions by developed countries and actions by developing countries; introduce real scrutiny and transparency to ensure emission targets are put into effect, with mandatory reporting every two years for developing countries.
The new accord will also provide $30bn of immediate short term funding from developed countries over the next three years to start emission reduction measures and help the poorest countries adapt to the impacts of climate change, commit developed countries to work to provide long term financing of $100bn a year by 2020. The UK and other countries will now be working to convert the accord into a legally binding agreement as soon as possible.
The benefits to the UK of the shift to low carbon are clear and the UK stands by its domestic commitment to reduce emissions by at least 34% by 2020, and more if the European Union moves to a total 30% cut, DECC said.
The UK wants to see the European Union move to a target of a 30% cut in emissions by 2020, compared with the current 20% figures, alongside other countries moving to the top of their emissions reduction ambitions.
