Historic climate agreement

The agreement secured today in Paris is an historic step in the global response to climate change.

Australia worked constructively with other nations to secure an ambitious, effective and enduring outcome, which for the first time requires all countries to take action to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions.

The Paris Agreement provides for five yearly reviews of national targets, underpinned by a rules based system that will assess whether countries are meeting their commitments.

It recognises and responds to the needs of the most vulnerable countries, including our Island neighbours in the Pacific.

Australia played a significant role in the negotiations, chairing the Umbrella Group of non European Union developed countries (Australia, Canada, Iceland, Japan, Kazakhstan, New Zealand, Norway, Russia, United States and Ukraine).