German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President François Hollande issued a joint statement at an international climate meet held in Berlin from 18-19 May calling for universal efforts to move towards a carbon-free economy over the course of this century.

The pair also advocated introducing carbon markets at national and regional levels in order to provide “strong economic incentives” for a global economic low-carbon transformation.

The annual Berlin meet, known formally as the Petersberg Climate Dialogue, brought together environment ministers and delegates from 36 countries, in a bid to further consensus on the international climate negotiations.

Last week also saw Saudi Arabia, the world’s largest crude exporter, tout the possibility of phasing out the use of fossil fuels by 2050 or thereabouts in comments made by the country’s oil minister Ali al-Naimi during a business climate change conference held in Paris, France.

Available at: http://www.ictsd.org/bridges-news/biores/news/countries-stakeholders-gear-up-for-un-climate-talks