The number of countries that announced their post 2020 climate action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions ahead of the December COP 21 climate summit has reached 130, Turkey's G20 Sherpa, Ayse Sinirlioglu, said Thursday.
This year's climate summit in Paris is seen as crucial for tackling global warming, while countries are expected to discuss a binding agreement to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. However, in preparation, countries have agreed to publicly outline climate actions they intend to take under a new international agreement, known as their Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs).
I know the number of countries reached 130. This is a very good number. We still have time until December,' Sinirlioglu said, speaking at a press meeting during the G20 Energy Ministers Meeting in Istanbul.
'I am glad to announce that the majority of G20 countries have announced their intended national determined contributions (INDC) including Turkey,' she said.
Ambassador Sinirlioglu said Turkey aims to decrease emissions by 21 percent by 2030 in line with Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu's announcement during the 70th UN General Assembly.
'Developed countries have made a commitment up to 2020 every year to provide 1 billion dollars to low-income developed countries. Hopefully, this income will be in place,' Sinirlioglu said, stressing the necessity of international cooperation on the issue.
'Hopefully, we will see some specific and more transparent mechanism to finance the climate issue,' she added.
Sinirlioglu also said Turkey has prioritized female participation in the labor force as a 1 percent increase in women's employment will lead to an $80 billion rise in global GDP.
For the first time, Turkey has convened a Woman 20 working group to address the gender gap.
By Furkan Naci Top and Ugur Serhan Ozcan
Anadolu Agency
furkan.top@aa.com.tr