COP21 ‘proceeds as planned’ despite Paris terror attacks

French and UN politicians said that security at the event – scheduled to start on 30 November – will be boosted, but that it was “absolutely necessary” that the conference take place.

According to French news agency AFP, former French president Nicolas Sarkozy was talked out of calling for the summit to be postponed, after a meeting with Francois Hollande.

French Foreign Affairs Minister Laurent Fabius has confirmed the event will take place, as has UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) spokesman Nick Nuttall.

UNFCC executive secretary Christiana Figueres, French climate diplomat Laurence Tubiana and European Council president Donad Tusk also tweeted their support.

Of course #COP21 proceeds as planned. Even more so now. #COP21 = respecting our differences & same time acting together collaboratively.

— Christiana Figueres (@CFigueres) November 15, 2015

Profound emotion receiving so strong support to maintain #COP21. Humanity, courage, solidarity winning over fear and terror.

— Laurence Tubiana (@LaurenceTubiana) November 15, 2015

All world leaders should go to Paris #COP21. Presence to show unity against #climatechange & that we are not intimidated by terror #G20

— Donald Tusk (@eucopresident) November 15, 2015

Security risk

High-ranking representatives from more than 190 countries are expected at the talks, including President Obama and Chinese Premier Xi Jinpeng.

In total, the UNFCCC expects up to 10,000 government representatives to be at the conference – held at Le Bourget conference centre about 10 miles outside of Paris. Another 7,000 observers and 3000 journalists are also expected to be in attendance.

While the talks are expected to go ahead as planned, the terrorist attacks may have a greater effect on the activism planned around the event.

Approximately 130 NGO’s had planned a climate march on the streets of Paris on November 29, expected to draw 200,000 people.

Climate Action Network [CAN] international, which is helping to organise the march, said participating organisations will meet Monday at 2pm GMT to discuss whether the demonstration will go ahead.

The group is reportedly concerned about showing respect for the victims of the attack and potentially seeing the political impact of the march diminished by low turnout. 

Possible solutions include activists taking to social media rather than the streets.

More to follow…

Brad Allen