About the Meeting
UNFCCC: Common but Differentiated Responsibilities
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2009-12-05 21:05
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BEIJING: The principle of "common but differentiated responsibilities" is the cornerstone of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), formed in 1992 and now ratified by 192 countries.
The principle serves as an important reason why the world's countries, all with many differences in their respective interests and concerns, could sit down together to negotiate a solution for the pressing issue of climate change.
The word "common" shows that fighting climate change is an obligation for every country around the world.
Undoubtedly, when the earth, mankind's common homeland, is facing a crisis, people around the globe must work together and help each other to find a solution.
However, let us not forget that the responsibilities are not only "common" but also "differentiated."
The industrialized countries, with abundant financial resources and advanced technologies, should shoulder their historical responsibilities and make tangible moves to deal with their high per capita carbon dioxide emissions.
As for the developing countries, "economic and social development and poverty eradication are the first and overriding priorities," the convention said.
Taking into full consideration the different socio-economic contexts, historical responsibilities, and per capita emissions of various countries, the convention stipulates that: developed countries should take the lead in combating climate change and provide financial resources, including the transfer of technology, for developing countries.
With the funds and technological support provided, developing countries need to adopt measures to mitigate and adapt to climate change, according to the convention.
In 1997, the third session of the Conference of the Parties to the UNFCCC held in Japan adopted the Kyoto Protocol, which, for the first time in history, made the principle of "common but differentiated responsibilities" become a legally binding commitment.
The United States, reluctant to accept the principle, has not yet ratified the protocol.
