Red, Green, and Blue

Less than a month before leaders from about 190 countries meet at Copenhagen to finalize the new international climate treaty there is no clarity on even principles and foundations of the proposed treaty. In an effort to push for greater cooperation between developed and developing countries President Obama would strive to convince the leaders of the two most populous countries, China and India, to commit to mandatory emission reduction targets when he meets them, in separate meetings, this month.

Time is running out fast for the US Climate Change bill as it is struggles to make it through the Congress. Apart from the domestic political hurdles blocking its approval, lack of commitment from the developing countries is another issue for the delay in its approval. A pledge to reduce emissions from the developing countries in the form of increased use of renewable energy or improving energy intensity would put immense pressure on the Senate to approve the bill in time for the Copenhagen meet.

President Obama will be in China during 15th and 18th November while the Indian Prime Minster will reach the United States on a state visit on 24th November. India has so far refused to adopt any emission reduction targets, mandatory or voluntary, it, however, has announced that an energy efficiency act will be tabled in the Parliament in late November. China has also announced measures to curb emissions from carbon-intensive sectors while improving energy intensity.

While both the countries have made clear their intentions to voluntarily reduce sectoral carbon emissions, increase energy efficiency and promote renewable energy, the United States seems adamant over the issue of mandatory emission reductions. The developed countries’ bloc raised objections at the Bangkok talks to the principles of Kyoto Protocol and Bali Climate Convention according to which there would be clear distinction between the abilities of developed and developing countries to reduce their carbon emissions.

Hu Jintao and Dr. Manmohan Singh, on their part, would also look to pressurize their counterpart as there has been a colossal shift in the international stance of both the countries. Like other advanced developing countries, India and China has announced plans to act voluntarily on issues like renewable energy, energy efficiency, deforestation and forest conservation. The developing countries are not willing to give up their right to be treated differently than the developed countries. Both the countries have argued on the past that it is the western countries which are responsible for the high carbon dioxide levels and that they should accept greater responsibility to reduce their carbon emissions.

The United States is apparently looking to renegotiate the policy framework of the next climate treaty at Copenhagen. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said that possibility of an agreement at Copenhagen look bleak as there is no consensus among countries over the very foundations of the potential deal.

It was widely expected that a bilateral agreement on carbon emissions and technology transfer would be reached during Obama’s China visit but that seems elusive now. Year long efforts to reach consensus on issues of adaptation fund and technology transfer have failed to produce any results and without an understanding on these issues it is difficult to imagine developing countries accepting mandatory emission reductions.

It is unfortunate that with only weeks to go for the Copenhagen talks the very principles of the treaty have been pulled into the debating arena. All the work by the scores of climate negotiators from more than 180 countries over the past one year would go waste and with that the opportunity to take bold decisions to mitigate the adverse impacts of rising carbon emissions.

Photo: PicApp

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.

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