“We have no choice but to agree on a Climate Agreement that can exclude the worst consequences of global warming. We don’t have a planet B, this is the only one,” he told the opening session of the United Nations Conference on Climate Change in Paris.
Long-term emission reduction goals have to be set for the Paris Agreement to have real relevance, said Niinistö in the speech relayed by the Office of the President.
The president said common rules on transparency and accountability are needed to monitor and ensure progress.
He said Finland will do its part for achieving the European Union-wide target of reducing greenhouse gas emission by at least 40% from the 1990 levels by 2030.
Describing Finland as an acting global thermometer, Niinistö said Finland has witnessed twice as fast warming compared to the global average.
In his speech, the president said the carbon dioxide output of human kind has increased almost by 200,000 tonnes.
About 150 heads of state and government attended the conference.
