World

Hollande: France must be 'extra vigilant' on climate negotiations to reach an agreement

Associated Press
Published | Updated

France's President Francois Hollande, waves to bystanders, as get into his car after an inauguration ceremony of a global climate exhibition, at the environment ministry in Paris, France, Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2015. The exhibition who promote the Climate Change Conference 2015, is organized by the French government. (AP Photo/Michel Euler, Pool) (The Associated Press)

A general view of a dome representing the Earth, at France's environment ministry, which is hosting a global climate exhibition, in Paris, France, Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2015. The exhibition who promote the Climate Change Conference 2015, is organized by the French government. (AP Photo/Michel Euler, Pool) (The Associated Press)

France's President Francois Hollande, left, cuts a ribbon during an inauguration ceremony of an exhibition on climate, while Environment Minister Segolene Royal, right, waves as she stands next to him, at the environment ministry in Paris, France, Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2015. The exhibition who promote the Climate Change Conference 2015, is organized by the French government. (AP Photo/Michel Euler, Pool) (The Associated Press)

French President Francois Hollande says that France must be "extra vigilant" over upcoming climate change negotiations in order to reach an ambitious agreement at a global summit in December in Paris.

To date, 120 countries — out of 195 — have formally submitted their national commitments toward fighting global warming.

"Things are moving in the right direction," Hollande said on Wednesday during a Cabinet meeting, in comments reported by government spokesman Stephane Le Foll.

Experts say that national pledges to cut or curb greenhouse gas pollution are not sufficient to meet the target of preventing the planet's average temperature from rising more than 2 degrees Celsius.

Paris hosts the global summit on climate change Nov. 30-Dec. 11.