French ambassador calls on Australia to join effort to avoid dangerous climate change

F

rance’s ambassador has called on Australia to join the effort to avoid dangerous climate change, according to The Guardian.

UN climate chief Christiana
Figueres says Australia
has much home work to
do before Paris talks.

It reported that the ambassador had said his country’s leaders had repeatedly raised the issue with Australia’s Prime Minister, Tony Abbott.

Ambassador Christophe Lecourtier said he was optimistic Australia would make a positive contribution before December’s talks in Paris on emissions reduction goals beyond 2020.

“We remember tough discussions in Brisbane at the G20 and then we had a state visit to Sydney and Canberra; the issue was raised and discussed quite frankly,” he said.

“We had the feeling the Australian government is working on the issue. There is momentum, even here, and I hope [Australia] will join the club, join the coalition of countries.”

The UN’s climate chief, Christiana Figueres, also speaking at a Carbon Market Institute summit in Melbourne, said she was “counting on Australian leadership” at the Paris talks, but it still had “homework” to do.

The Guardian story is headed: “French ambassador urges Australia to join climate change battle”.