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| Copenhagen: cracks appear in developing nations bloc |
| 2009-12-10 |
| The tiny nation of Tuvalu has driven a wedge in the bloc of developing nations at UN climate talks by calling on China, India and other emerging giants to take on legally-binding commitments to slash CO2 pollution. Through an arcane diplomatic manoeuvre, the Pacific archipelago cracked a diplomatic axiom that has prevailed since the UN climate convention came into being in 1992: rich countries caused global warming, and it was their responsibility to fix it. On the third day of the December 7-18 negotiations, Tuvalu proposed opening discussions on a "legally binding amendment" to the Kyoto Protocol that would set targets for the reductions of greenhouse-gas emissions for major emerging economies starting in 2013. But the move -- which was backed by dozens of the poorest countries most vulnerable to climate change impacts -- was blocked by China, India, Saudi Arabia and other large developing countries. "The constraints would mostly remain on developed countries but also, partly, on big developing economies as well," Taukiei Kitara, head of Tuvalu's delegation, said. Mr Kitara acknowledged that the proposal constituted the first serious breach in the up-to-now united front of the "G-77 plus China," a bloc of 130 developing nations. "We know the implementation of the Kyoto Protocol is not complete and we want to create an impulse for a stronger commitment," Mr Kitara said, referring to the landmark treaty that imposes emissions cuts on rich nations up to 2012. Tuvalu demanded - and got - a suspension of negotiations until the issue could be resolved. |
| Posted by:lotp |
| #2 You might want to recind the drink. Tuvalu wants mandatory CO2 enforcement. |
| Posted by: ed 2009-12-10 09:48 |
| #1 ...Remind me to buy the next Tuvaluan I meet a drink for throwing a spanner into the works here. Mike |
| Posted by: Mike Kozlowski 2009-12-10 09:35 |