{O/C} The COP27 climate summit has wrapped up with a breakthrough -- a deal with reparations to impoverished countries hounded by climate change.
But many are accusing world leaders of kicking the "climate can" down the road.
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SAMEH SHOUKRY, COP27 President, Egyptian Foreign Minister:
I consider the text to be adopted to be a reflection of both a delicate balance and also a manifestation of the highest ambition that can be reached at this point in time.
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The historic deal was solidified after the COP27 summit, originally scheduled to end on November 18, had run overtime.
With poverty-stricken countries often bearing the brunt of extreme weather, like massive floods, droughts and heat waves, the deal establishes a loss-and-damage fund supported by developed nations.
Leaders from their developing counterparts which have long demanded reparations cast the deal in a positive light.
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SHERRY REHMAN, Pakistani Climate Change Minister:
The establishment of a fund is not about dispensing charity.
It is a down payment and an investment in climate justice.
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COLLINS NZOVU, Zambian Environment Minister:
Excited, very very excited.
This is a very positive result for 1.3 billion Africans.
{VO}
The U.N. chief also welcomed the move.
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ANTONIO GUTERRES, United Nations Secretary-General:
I welcome the decision to establish a loss-and-damage fund.
A fund for loss and damage is essential, but it's not an answer if the climate crisis washes a small island state off the map or turns an entire African country to desert.
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The deal doesn't expand on last year's message to water down global use of "unabated coal", but it does keep alive the 1.5-degree goal.
Still, the president of last year's COP26 says the deal should speak volumes.
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ALOK SHARMA, UK Envoy to COP27, COP26 President:
Clear follow-through on the phase-down of coal -- not in this text.
A clear commitment to phase out all fossil fuels -- not in this text.
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Climate activists agree.
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Climate Activist:
You can't talk about climate change without stopping the problem.
That's why we need much stronger wording on fossil fuels.
We need real action to transition away from fossil fuels and towards, you know, a safer planet.
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