Coming in the backdrop of a worsening sovereign debt crisis in Europe and a political standoff in the US over debt and taxes, the Durban global conference on climate change does not inspire much hope, with top leaders, including US President Barack Obama and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, staying away. Only the heads of government of some African countries are present at “COP17” as the 17th conference of the parties to the UN convention on climate change is called. Unlike last year’s Cancun (Mexico) conference, which produced a pact to set up a fund to help poor countries adapt to climate change and evolve mechanisms for the transfer of clean-energy technology, the Durban negotiations remain a low-key affair.
Some 20,000 delegates from 194 countries meeting in Durban, South Africa, from November 28 to December 9 will try to save the Kyoto protocol, which is the only legal regime mandating emission cuts by industrialised countries. The protocol is set to expire in 2012 unless the negotiators reach a pact to extend its period. China, Brazil, South Africa and India favour its extension. Some major countries, including Canada, Russia and Japan, are reluctant to see a second protocol through and are reneging on emission targets and climate-change financing. The Kyoto protocol, they feel, has made the industrialised countries cut CO2 emissions, while leaving the developing countries out from any commitment. The US is not even a party to the Kyoto protocol and has refused to ratify it because of what it calls “asymmetrical obligations”.
Backed by China and Brazil, India has taken the stand that the climate summit should work on providing equitable access to sustainable development, technology transfer and unilateral trade measures. India and China are under pressure to agree to a binding commitment on emission cuts. The fate of the talks remains uncertain
Some 20,000 delegates from 194 countries meeting in Durban, South Africa, from November 28 to December 9 will try to save the Kyoto protocol, which is the only legal regime mandating emission cuts by industrialised countries. The protocol is set to expire in 2012 unless the negotiators reach a pact to extend its period. China, Brazil, South Africa and India favour its extension. Some major countries, including Canada, Russia and Japan, are reluctant to see a second protocol through and are reneging on emission targets and climate-change financing. The Kyoto protocol, they feel, has made the industrialised countries cut CO2 emissions, while leaving the developing countries out from any commitment. The US is not even a party to the Kyoto protocol and has refused to ratify it because of what it calls “asymmetrical obligations”.
Backed by China and Brazil, India has taken the stand that the climate summit should work on providing equitable access to sustainable development, technology transfer and unilateral trade measures. India and China are under pressure to agree to a binding commitment on emission cuts. The fate of the talks remains uncertain
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