Brazil's Bolsonaro Dismisses COP25 'game'
Umer Jamshaid Published December 16, 2019 | 08:20 AM
Rio de Janeiro, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 16th Dec, 2019 ) :Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, a climate change skeptic, on Sunday dismissed as a "commercial game" the result of the COP25 climate talks in Madrid.
He particularly singled out rich European nations as the players.
Brazil was meant to host this year's global climate meeting but withdrew its offer more than a year ago, citing financial restrictions shortly after Bolsonaro's election.
"I don't know why people don't understand that it's just a commercial game," Bolsonaro told reporters outside his official residence.
Blaming wealthy countries, he said, "I'd like to know: has there been a resolution for Europe to be reforested, or are they just going to keep bothering Brazil?" Bolsonaro has been widely criticized for easing restrictions on exploiting the Amazon's vast riches, leading to accelerated deforestation.
Brazil's Environment Minister Ricardo Salles, who participated in COP25, also criticized its results.
On Twitter, he said, "Rich countries did not want to pay up." Salles particularly regretted a lack of progress on carbon markets.
Brazil and Australia are among the countries that want to count carbon credits accumulated under a previous climate deal as part of their commitments under the goals of the Paris climate agreement.
Discussions over markets ended in an impasse Sunday, and the issue will be handed over to next year's COP26 in Glasgow.
"Unfortunately, despite all the efforts of Brazil, a protectionist vision took hold, and Brazil and other countries that could provide carbon credits because of their forests and good environmental practices came out losers," Salles said.
Several hours later, the minister posted a provocative tweet with a photo of a large platter of meat.
"To compensate for our emissions at COP, a vegetarian lunch!" the accompanying text said.
Brazil is the world's number one beef exporter, and deforestation is often caused by breeders who want to transform the Amazonian jungle to feed their herds.
COP25 brought negotiators from nearly 200 nations to Spain's capital with the aim of finalizing the rulebook for the 2015 Paris accord, which enjoins nations to limit the global temperature increase to below two degrees Celsius (3.6 Fahrenheit).
Following a year of deadly extreme weather and weekly protests by millions of young people, Madrid negotiators were under pressure to send a clear signal that governments were willing to intensify their efforts.
The compromises reached fell well short of what science says is needed to tackle the climate crisis, and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres lamented a "lost opportunity."
Related Topics
Recent Stories
Tennis: ATP Barcelona Open results - 1st update
Swiatek's perfect 10 in Stuttgart as Vondrousova stuns Sabalenka
Arandu's roads closed due to flooding
Oil tanker catches fire in Islamabad’s Blue Area
Pakistan committed to ensure safety of foreign nationals: FO
Tennis: WTA Stuttgart results - 1st update
Four passengers injured as train hit an empty vehicle
Over- speeding bus crushed to death two bike riders
Turkey's Freedom Flotilla ready to set sail for Gaza
French teen dies from heart failure after knife attack near school
Iranians appear unfazed by Isfahan blasts
UAF celebrates Int'l Chinese Language Day
More Stories From Miscellaneous
-
Transforming education sector: from job hunters to job creators
21 hours ago -
Amjad Bobby remembered on 19th death anniversary for timeless contributions to music
5 days ago -
Legendary actor Nadeem’s 26 films released on Eid-ul-Fitr days in 50 years
6 days ago -
Besant Hall Cultural Centre to celebrate evening with Sanam Marvi on 26 April
6 days ago -
Radio Bahawalpur presents program “Eidi Shidi”
9 days ago -
Radio Bahawalpur to broadcast Eid programs
11 days ago
-
DC, DPO Haripur inspect bus terminals to review fares compliance
13 days ago -
Second phase of refugees’ repatriation to start after Eidul Fitr vacations
13 days ago -
Reaping bounties as Ramazan culminates
13 days ago -
Digital transformation – a boon or bane
13 days ago -
Plants’ business: Another casualty of climate change
15 days ago -
Eid shoppers prioritize children’s joy over personal comforts
15 days ago