Many countries are pinning their hopes on China and India to lead efforts to slow climate change amid a growing sense of resignation that US President Donald Trump will either withdraw from a global pact or stay and play a minimal role. Delegates at the May 8-18 negotiations in Bonn on a detailed “rule book” for the 2015 Paris Agreement, the first UN talks since Trump took office, say there is less foreboding than when Washington last broke with global climate efforts in 2001. “The time when one big player could affect the whole game is past,” said Ronald Jumeau, climate ambassador for the Seychelles. CorrosiveStill, the Paris Agreement, designed by the administration of US President Barack Obama, would be hit by Washington withdrawing, especially if billions of dollars in US-led finance to help developing nations were to dry up, delegates say. Among the uncertainties for the Paris Agreement is Russia, the only major emitter that has not yet formally ratified the pact.

Source: Dhaka Tribune May 17, 2017 14:15 UTC