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Kyoto Protocol's future overcast in Cancun

By Li Xing (chinadaily.com.cn)
Updated: 2010-12-07 02:25

CANCUN, Mexico - The future of the Kyoto Protocol poses a big question mark in the second week of Cancun climate change negotiations, Indian Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh told China Daily before meeting with representatives from more than 190 countries on Monday morning.

He also complained about slow progress in the fast-start finance area, specifically referencing the $30 billion that was promised for Africa, small island states and least developed countries.

“The fast-start finance is neither fast, nor start, nor finance,” he said.

Despite these doubts, he said India is working with the other BASIC countries and the Group of 77 to achieve a “positive outcome” from the Cancun talks with “balanced decisions” regarding several building blocks, including:

• a commitment from developed countries to continue the second period of the KP;

• a firm commitment on the disbursement of fast-start finance;

• a decision to establish a technology cooperation mechanism;

• a mechanism to promote adaptation;

• a forestry agreement;

• some measures to promote transparency and accountability on mitigation actions.

Meanwhile, the Indian environment minister is also promoting an alternative idea of “equitable share of sustainable development," including per capita share of emissions.

“It is not the right to pollute; it is the right to sustainable development,” Ramesh said.