Rallies call for climate change action

PARIS, France – Frustrated with the slow pace of progress at the climate change negotiations, some 300 members of climate activists and civil society groups draw a symbolic ‘red line’ at the replica of the iconic Eiffel Tower inside the venue of the summit in Le Bourget to urge negotiators to come up with a stronger and ambitious Paris accord.

Dressed in red and white shirts, the group shouted in unison the five general principles they want included in the final Paris text to be issued Saturday morning.

“We are shouting for five general principles the agreement should not cross in the draft. These are: zero emissions, equity, finance, justice, and compliance,” said Claire Fehrenbach, executive director of Oxfam France.

The protest is one of the series demonstrations held throughout the day, following protests and manifestations held in different parts of Paris since the start of the climate negotiations.

Climate protests, they said, is one way to show how people are very much involved and concerned about the outcome of the Paris climate talks that will define the future of the planet and billions of people, especially those from the vulnerable nations.

“At the current state of things, the negotiators are not doing enough,” Fehrenbach told Philippine Environews.

There was a consensus among civil society groups that the second version of the Paris text was “weaker” than expected especially on the principles of equity, transparency, historical responsibility for emissions and climate finance, among others.

“On the loss and damage, the discussions last week look pretty advanced last week and options are weaker now and reference to finance is missing,” said Pierre Cannet, WWF France head for climate, energy, and infrastructure.

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