Developing nations see red in Danish draft seeking unacceptable limits on emissions
10 Dec 2009
Developing states, including South Africa yesterday unanimously condemned the ''Danish text'' at the UN climate change conference that put forward a draft proposal for a new climate change agreement presented by Denmark two weeks ago. The draft was dramatically leaked in the media earlier this week.
Though industrialised countries had no issues with the text, developing nations were quick to register their protest and rumors suggesting that the Africa group would stage a walk out.
According to the UK website of The Guardian which published a copy of the text on Tuesday, the draft appeared to be authored by several countries including the UK and the US.
The text proposes a cap of 1.44 tons of carbon per person for the poor countries by 2050 even as it allows rich nations to emit up to 2.67 tons per person.
The draft would also weaken the UN's role in climate finance and would force developing countries to commit to specific cuts in emissions and measures outside the scope of the UN agreement, according to The Guardian.
The draft would go to preserve the current international status quo, with rich economies retaining their dominance and poor nations being left to tackle poverty and raising gross domestic product.
