KINGSTON, Jamaica — Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator AJ Nicholson, says that the outcome of the recent climate change conference in Paris was positive.

“We regard the outcome of the conference as a positive one for Jamaica, for Caricom and for Small Island Developing States, more generally. We were pleased, in particular, to see recognition of the need to endeavour to keep global average temperature below 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels,” Senator Nicholson told the Senate on Friday.

He said, however, that Jamaica was mindful of the fact that the implementation of the agreement will require the mobilisation of significant resources.

“The commitment to provide climate financing of at least US$100 billion each year up to 2020, is a potential game-changer,” Nicholson admitted.

He argued that countries like Jamaica will require support for a continued effort to combat the phenomenon of climate change.

The United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP21) was held in Paris, France, last month. The convenors said that the conference agreed on “an ambitious and effective climate change agreement”, that will set nations on the path to a low-carbon, climate-resilient future that keeps the average global temperature below two degrees Celsius.

Balford Henry