2015-12-13
PARIS, 13 December 2015 - Georgian PM Irakli Garibashvili today welcomed as a "great step forward" the global deal reached in Paris on Saturday to curb global warming to a maximum rise of 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.
"This is a historic agreement which testifies to the joint commitment of world leaders to prevent more damage to our natural environment and ensure a safe, sustainable and prosperous future for our planet and people," said the Prime Minister. "Georgia is strongly committed to sustainable environmental policies, and is a regional leader in the export of clean energy," he added.
Georgia already uses renewable energy to provide more than 80% of its electricity and has one of the world's greatest hydropower capacities and one of the largest fresh water reserves.
Ahead of the UN Climate Change Conference (COP21), Georgia formulated a mitigation target of 15-25% deviation from business as usual scenarios by 2030. A climate action plan 2021-2030, to be developed next year, will specify how this commitment will be implemented and what international support would be required to achieve it. Other initiatives which are currently being prepared include the Low Emission Development Strategy and the Green Climate Fund readiness programme.
The PM welcomed the solidarity measures included in the agreement. He noted that Georgia is particularly prone to natural hazards due to its complex topography.