Emerging economies still evasive over climate

 2581, 09/07/08

Five major emerging economies remain unwilling to make firm commitments to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions, it emerged from a meeting of China, India, Brazil, South Africa and Mexico with the G8 group of industrialised countries in Japan on Wednesday.

In discussions on climate change the group of five did not commit to specific emission reduction targets.  Nor did they say what actions they would be prepared to take as part of a post-2012 global climate agreement.

G8 leaders meeting on Tuesday agreed a long-term emission reduction target of at least 50 per cent by 2050 (EED 08/07/08 http://www.endseuropedaily.com/articles/index.cfm?action=article&ref=25801).  But they did not specify a base year for the cuts.

World governments have agreed to develop a new global climate policy by the end of next year and the meetings in Japan were regarded as key staging points on the way to a deal.

In a joint statement issued after Wednesday's meeting, the G8+5 countries rehashed general pledges to tackle climate change, made a vague reference to a long-term goal for cutting global emissions and stressed the need for deep cuts in emissions.

The statement also reiterates the now-familiar principle of "common but differentiated responsibilities" for reducing emissions (EED 17/12/07 http://www.endseuropedaily.com/24512).  Major emerging economies will "pursue nationally appropriate mitigation actions" to achieve a "deviation from business as usual emissions", according to the statement.

European commission president Jose Manuel Barroso insisted there was no rift between developed and developing countries on climate issues.  "Of course we accept the lion's share of responsibility but this is a global challenge which requires a global response", he said.

Mr Barroso urged major emitters to "recognise that there is no contradiction between economic growth and reducing emissions".  Since 1990, the European economy has grown by a quarter while emissions fell by eight per cent, he said.

Follow-up: G8 summit webpage http://www.g8summit.go.jp/eng/,

plus joint statement http://www.g8summit.go.jp/eng/doc/doc080709_10_en.html.  See also European commission press release

http://www.endseuropedaily.com/docs/80709a.doc.

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