Developing Countries Gain Leverage Over Developed Nations Ahead of Copenhagen Talks
In the see saw of that the international climate negotiations is the balance has now shifted towards the developing countries. The developed and developing countries argued vigorously over the one last year and both the parties have moved back and forth several times on their negotiation positions.
The United States under the leadership of President Barack Obama pursued a highly aggressive diplomatic effort which resulted in China agreeing to various mitigation measures including improvement in energy intensity. Taking cue from China various other developing countries too announced ambitious mitigation and clean energy initiatives.
The United States successfully planted seeds of division in the developing countries’ camp by singling out China for concentrated talks but what happened transpired throughout the developing world after that was completely unexpected. India, in addition to other developing countries announced several short and long term initiatives as an answer to the increasing international pressure to act on the rising carbon emissions.
Inaction from Developed Countries
No developed country other than the European Union has heeded to IPCC’s recommendation of a 25-40 percent reduction of carbon emissions by 2020 from 1990 levels. Now that the developing countries have expressed intentions to reduce carbon emissions, the developed countries are struggling to build consensus at national level to reduce carbon emissions.
While the United States overshadowed in the European Union in its diplomatic efforts to bring the developing countries on board a global initiative to reduce carbon emissions it has by and large failed to achieve any significant progress at home. The climate change bill is facing an uncertain future as it awaits an vote in the US Congress.
Getting the Climate Bill approved in the US Congress would be extremely difficult as Republicans are refusing to come on board. Additionally, the President has the healthcare bill up on his priority list and has made it clear that the Climate Bill will have to wait.
Japan is struggling to find support from other rich countries as they refuse to pledge ambitious reduction targets. Immediately after his election the Japanese Prime Minister announced 25 percent reduction target for 2020 from 1990 levels but now his government has expressed concerns about the lack of willingness from other developed nations and has warned that his government could consider diluting its previously stated goal.
Policy Shift from Developing Countries
In a dramatic policy shift the Chinese government announced that it is looking at a domestic emissions reduction law. It also announced short term renewable energy and energy intensity goals in addition to the energy efficiency, clean energy technology and green buildings agreements with the United States. China became the world leader in renewable energy investment and has massive investment plans in the clean coal technology.
India, taking cue from China, announced its intentions to introduce a bill addressing the carbon emissions of the top five polluting industries of the country. India’s environment minister also talked of more rigorous monitoring and reporting measures. The Indian Prime Minister will be announcing details of the National Solar Mission soon. The announcement could possibly throw light on the financial, technical and implementation aspects of the ambitious plan which would make India a solar energy giant by 2030.
Brazil and Indonesia are pledging reduction in carbon emissions from deforestation by announcing stringent laws to check illegal exploitation of rain forests and launching ambitious forest conservation laws. These proposed measures come on the back of the almost certain to pass REDD credits plan.South Africa aims to freeze its carbon emission output by 2020-2025 and reduce emissions within a decade thereafter. The country is eager to get hands at clean energy technology like clean coal and carbon capture technology.
The IPCC Chief Dr. Rajendra Pachauri also noted that the ‘moral force’ is with the developing countries now. Pointing out the numerous ambitious mitigation measures announced by the governments of China, India and other countries, Dr. Pachauri said that now they can point at the inaction of he developed countries.
Even though the European Union announced that it intends to form a €50 billion adaption fund by 2020, the other developed countries have neither announced any financial assistance plans nor any significant emission reduction targets. The developing countries have responded to the years of international pressure with mitigation measures which are not legally bound to implement. The developing countries have been branded as deal breakers several times in the past but if the Copenhagen Talks fall apart, failing to produce a new climate deal then the responsibility would most probably fall on the developed countries due to their inaction and lack of willingness to do what they are obligated to.
The views presented in the above article are author’s personal views and do not represent those of TERI/TERI University where the author is currently pursuing a Master’s degree.
