By Richa Sharma, IANS,
Durban : India’s views were echoed at the UN climate change conference here with principle of equity – right to grow – and unilateral trade measures making into a new negotiations draft released Wednesday.
Environment Minister Jayanthi Natarajan expressed happiness over the inclusion of India’s demand. “We have been pressing really hard for it and I am happy this has been recognised,” Natarajan told IANS.
Ahead of the Durban talks, India had proposed inclusion of three items – equity, intellectual property rights for technology transfer, and unilateral trade measures in the final agenda of the meeting.
According to sources, these proposals faced opposition from rich countries but the move was supported by developing countries like Pakistan.
India’s move to include these things in Durban agenda was also supported by other three BASIC (Brazil, South Africa, India and China) countries.
“Equity shall be reflected by having a fair sharing and an equitable allocation framework wherein developed country parties take the lead in undertaking deep binding emissions reductions,” according to the draft text.
The 138-page document on long-term cooperative action (LCA) by countries proposes four options for a legally binding agreement.
The draft also acknowledges historical responsibility as the largest share of the historical emissions of greenhouse gases originated in developed world and owing to this, they must take lead in combating climate change.
Meanwhile, Russia floated a proposal that based on national economy, developing countries should be allowed to graduate in Annex I section – group of rich countries. The proposal was rejected by the developing countries.
(Richa Sharma can be reached at [email protected])