Green Options

For the first time, the United States has agreed to recognize the national mitigation measures proposed by the developing countries in the proposed climate treaty.

India has announced numerous changes in its climate policy signaling a renewed effort to cement its credentials as a global environment leader.

EU demands that advanced developing countries take more responsibility by partially funding their carbon emission reduction programs and contribute to the international adaptation fund to help developing and poor countries.

India is possibly looking to dodge the issue of mandatory emission reductions by announcing a variety of green schemes.

Divisions within the EU have led to an agreement which ignores Carbon Dioxide as a pollutant and allows member nations to delay implementation of stricter emission standards.

Scotland plans to reduce its carbon emissions by 42 percent by 2020 from 1990 levels, the most by any country.

No support from United States and adverse economic conditions have forced the European Union to rethink its promise of providing financial support to the developing countries.

With US lawmakers failing to agree on a number of domestic issues like choice of energy sources and economic aspects of reducing carbon emissions, it seems unlikely that an agreement on the new climate treaty would be reached at Copenhagen this December.

Developed nations have proposed weaker carbon emission reduction goals at the Bonn climate negotiations. If the rising carbon emissions are to be tamed it is necessary that they set ambitious targets.

As part of its National Action Plan on Climate Change, India plans to give out $100 billion as subsidies to speed up solar energy production over the next 20 years.

While investing in clean energy projects in developing countries, the developed nations must not ignore their responsibility to reduce domestic carbon emissions.