Paris Climate Summit: How COP21 can make or break the world

After two days of hectic parleys and a brain storming session, the key negotiators have finally managed to clinch a deal, resolving main issues between the rich and developing nations and incorporating the concerns expressed by India, to stand united in combating the menace of global climate change.

Image: Mark Thiessen/AP

Paris: After two days of hectic parleys and brain storming sessions, the key negotiators have finally managed to clinch a deal, resolving main issues between the rich and developing nations and incorporating the concerns expressed by India, to combat the menace of global climate change.

Reports, Friday, said a new shorter draft finally incorporates several key issues raised by India like "sustainable lifestyle" as the crucial climate change conference entered into the final stretch of talks yesterday. The 27-page draft comprises of all the key issues as options and it will now be placed before the negotiators for night-long negotiation. A final draft of the proposed climate deal will thereafter be released late on Friday.

The Para 16 of the draft agreement specifically refers to these points while flagging that the developed countries would take the lead and play an important role in addressing the climate change. India had long been demanding insertion of lifestyle issue in the agreement ever since the PM Narendra Modi made a strong pitch for it. Union Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar had on Wednesday night made this point during the Paris Committee meeting while reacting on the first draft text.

Here is why COP21 (21st Conference of Parties) summit for climate change is crucial for the world.

• Paris is the 21st stop for 196 nations (Conference of Parties) that have met since 1992 to tackle climate change.

• Keeping warning below 2 Degree Celsius. Poorer nations want to limit it to 1.5 Degree Celsius. Studies suggest that at current levels of pledges, which several nations have made, on emission cuts, the Earth will warm by at least 2.7 Degree Celsius.
• 187 nations have pledged emission cuts, while India has not.

• India has demanded recognising ''sustainable lifestyles and patterns of consumption and production'' in dealing with the threats of climate change.
• Mobilise USD 100 billion a year committed by states, NGOs, global bodies and private sector from 2020 onwards to develop technology to flight climate change.