Independent Greenland 'could not afford' to sign up to Paris climate deal

Fossil fuel exploitation that would trigger a rise in carbon emissions is necessary to support the country financially in its break from Denmark, leaders say, despite it being one of the most climate-affected places in the world

One of the parts of the world being hit the hardest by climate change says it cannot afford to submit to the new Paris agreement to cut emissions and is likely to dramatically increase its contribution to global warming.

Greenland, which is almost the size of Europe but with a population of less than 60,000 people, is a self-governing territory of Denmark .