The new Paris agreement which aims to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions is to take effect after 2020 and thus replace the Kyoto Protocol. Socialist leaders' declaration emphasizes the need to accelerate the process of negotiations on the final provisions of the agreement and the text, countries are invited to apply more flexibility and find a consensus on matters of principle.
"Lithuania strongly supports efforts to reach a new legally binding climate-change agreement. We welcome efforts to call on all parties to take additional steps to speed up negotiations on this very important document", said Algirdas Butkevičius, Prime Minister and Chairman of the Lithuanian Social Democratic Party.
The Head of Government pointed out the need to take efforts to combat the challenges faced by modern civilization. It is necessary for all countries, of all political forces to support this goal. Therefore, the socialist leaders signed the document leading towards consolidation of political support for the agreement on combating climate change.
In October 2014, following European Council's decision on European Union climate and energy policy in 2020-2030, the EU committed itself by 2030 to reduce GHG emissions by 40 percent against 1990.
It is expected that the world leaders in their late November-early December meeting in Paris reach a political agreement on the application of the legally binding instrument with a view to reducing GHG emissions. This agreement is to replace the existing Kyoto Protocol, signed back in 1992.
