Developing Nations in an Uproar

As noted in comment on previous posts, a central issue in the UN negotiations in Copenhagen is whether or not certain developing countries should make financial commitments toward mitigation. This question is based on both precedent and practicality. The Kyoto Protocol sets the precedent in that all developing countries are exempted from obligations, while in the practical sense, developing countries have very limited capacity to address mitigation and other critical issues such as poverty relief, education, healthcare, national security simultaneously. Industrialized countries have stressed that this is not feasible in the future during the preparations for the Copenhagen meeting.

The uproar in on this issue, revolves around the so-called “Danish text” published on the Guardian website. The confidentially sourced documents is describe as a draft of upcoming, says that “developing countries, except the least developed which may contribute at their own discretion, commit to nationally appropriate mitigation actions.” These commitments are suggested to be given as a percentage – to be negotiated next week – which should be achieved by 2020. However, the percentage should not be compared to present levels, rather to a business-as-usual scenario.”

Another point of concern is the draft’s suggestion to transfer more control over the enforcement of the Copenhagen agreement from the UN to the World Bank. A move would shift more control over to the industrialized world.

According to The Guardian’s sources, developing countries are infelicitous about the new proposed division between the “least developed” and other developing nations.

Perspective on the issue is provided by Kim Carstensen, head of conservation group WWF's global climate initiative, wwho said in the NYT piece cited below "Focus on the Danish text right now is a distraction from the negotiations," adding “the text did not lay out what would happen to the Kyoto Protocol.”

For further info, readers may refer to these news sites:

The Guardian, “The Danish Text”

COP15: “Danish text” raises furor”

Financial Times: “The leaked ‘Danish draft’ text of a Copenhagen agreement: an NGO-created storm that will not benefit poor countries?”


New York Tmes: “China Demands More From Rich to Unlock Climate Talks”