Tsipras calls for his counterparts to rise to the challenges of climate change

Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras addressed his counterparts during the COP21 Climate Change Conference in Paris on Monday. He said the summit should be a historic turning point for a “global shift to a climate-friendly, sustainable society.”

“Greece, which at this time is experiencing an unprecedented refugee crisis and human despair, gives political priority to prevent climate change displacement risk,” he said. He expressed the hope that the leaders in Paris would rise to the challenge rather than shift the burdens of dealing with the problem to the future. “We are here to take decision that are binding for all. We know what we must do. We are here to decide how to do it,” he said.

Tsipras hopes that the Paris Agreement would be legally binding and based on transparency, accountability and compliance.