Green Options

US has once again made unreasonable demands that developing countries adopt similar emission reduction targets as the rich countries. Such demands are against the Bali (Climate Conference) Action Plan and threaten to derail the climate negotiations.

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.

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.

China, while indicating that it is ready to accept sectoral carbon emission cuts, has unveiled plans to build massive coal reserves in order to avoid counter any shortages in the near future.

Ignoring the billions of dollars of investments made in renewable energy projects by the developed countries, the Indian government has demanded them to do more and not use economic recession as an ‘excuse’ to stop investments.

India has welcomed United States’ change in climate change policy but continues to reject demands to do more to freeze or reduce its own carbon emissions.

Both the developed and developing world agree that they have got to act quickly to curb carbon emissions but none is willing to take the initiative on the economic front of the fight against climate change.