Africa: COP 17 – Which Way Forward?
Effa Tambenkongho
9 December 2011
Within the next few hours, the United Nations climate change talks will reach its climax.
But questions abound as to what conclusions would be made; what amendments must be made and what needs to change?
Third World Network’s Meena Raman most of the issues raised during the deliberations by developing countries such as technology transfer, were objected by the United States and European Union among others.
Raman said one of the key deliberations was the interim host secretariat for the Green Climate Fund.
“It is learnt that the G77 and China rejected the Global Environment Facility, (GEF) secretariat as an option.
Under the convention she said one of the options is to complete the Bali (Action Plan) and agreed outcome through a series of COP decisions and begin a process on post- 2020.She added the EU adhered to the option that a completely new treaty not based on the Bali outcomes be made.
South Centre executive director Martin Khor said the climate change situations have worsened and weather effects have increased.
“It is urgent that co-ordinated actions be increased in a manner that is balanced and equitable”.
He said the Bali Road Map launched in 2007 should be completed as soon as possible, adding a framework has to be put in place to address the rights and benefits, hard to save issues of the world, finance and technology and adaptation to help developing countries.
Khor said Kyoto and non-Kyoto parties have to do their part to have equity and help developing countries.
Developing countries, he said, agreed to enhance mitigation actions.
Khor said the Kyoto Protocol remains the clearest symbol of developed nations’ commitments on the basis of their leadership in mitigation actions and historical responsibility.
German has offered to host the yet-to-be-established Green Climate Fund and pledged 40million Euros for climate change activities in developing countries.
German Environment Minister, Norbert Roettgen announced his country’s offer at the on-going high level segment meeting of ministers at COP17.
He said Germany recognizes its special responsibility as an already industrialized country and needs to take steps to help developing nations to mitigate climate change.
According to Roettgen, all countries will have to play their part in helping to ensure that greenhouse gases are reduced. “All countries have to play their roles. Developed countries must lead, but all must do their fair share. We will effectively reduce climate change only if countries who are emitters join today.”
Meanwhile, China has also indicated its support for all COP17 initiatives, including the launch of Green Climate Fund. Denmark has also pledged its support for the fund, but has not yet made any further commitments.
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