SA not part of COP 21 deal

Formally declaring their shared interests for the first time at the COP21 UN climate talks, the group – which includes the US, all European Union member states and 79 African, Caribbean and Pacific countries – said they would focus on ensuring the Paris agreement would be legally binding, with clear long-term goals, and strong mechanisms to review the commitments of nations to cut their emissions.

They have also agreed on the need for global warming to be capped at 1.5C, and to have five yearly reviews of nations’ commitments to reduce their emissions.

“This is not a negotiating group, it is rather about joining the voices of all of those who are committed to joining an ambitious agreement and a safe climate future,” said Marshall Islands’ Foreign Minister Tony de Brum, who initially convened the group, “Big and small, rich and poor.”

China and India are conspicuously absent, as is South Africa, which confirmed it was not part of the grouping, despite appearing to share many of the same negotiating positions.

The coalition has reportedly been meeting in secret, at dinners, drinks and on the sidelines of other summits for the last six months, apparently waiting to make its work public only when it could have the most effect. It did so in the immediate aftermath of the release of the new draft Paris agreement on Wednesday.

US climate change envoy Toss Stern referred to the informal grouping as a “high ambition coalition” on Monday, and the moniker has stuck.

“There are a great many countries in this coalition, there are some countries that are not in this coalition and indeed seek a more minimal outcome,” Stern said Wednesday.

Pa Ousman, chair of the Least Developed Countries bloc at the negotiations, said they were excited to be part of the grouping.

“We are happy to join with all countries rich and poor to ensure that the livelihoods of millions of people are going to be saved. The territories are going to be saved, and humanity will be saved,” he said.