China, India Sign Climate Change Cooperation Accord

In act to spur their economies while addressing environmental issues, India and China have signed an agreement to work on climate change, rebuffing binding caps called for by wealthier nations. The 5 year pact, which will focus on energy conservation and renewable energy, also aims to push developed nations to share green technology. To us, it’s all about money and power. In an ideal world, green technology should be an open source much like how many source codes are on the internet, especially when you consider that great ideas are derived from collective thinking and the technology is for the betterment of all stakeholders. Idealistic yes but not impossible.

green team

China, India Sign Climate Change Cooperation Accord
www.bloomberg.com
by  Gaurav Singh and John Duce

India signed an agreement with China, the world’s biggest polluter, to increase cooperation on tackling climate change after the countries rejected calls from rich nations to set binding caps on carbon emissions.

The memorandum of understanding was signed today in New Delhi by India’s environment minister Jairam Ramesh and Xie Zhenhua, vice minister at China’s National Development and Reform Commission. The agreement comes ahead of a United Nations climate-change summit in Copenhagen in December.

The world’s fastest-growing major economies called on rich nations to slash carbon dioxide output while refusing to accept binding reduction targets that they say will hurt development. Chinese President Hu Jintao said last month his country will cut emissions in proportion to economic growth, without outlining specific goals.

“The two countries have in recent weeks said what they’re doing to tackle climate change and the aim of the talks is partly to help consolidate their negotiating position ahead of Copenhagen,” said Yang Ailun, a spokeswoman at the environmental pressure group Greenpeace in Beijing.

“There’s no way developing countries will accept caps.”  More than 190 nations are set to gather in Copenhagen starting Dec. 7 for the final round of talks on a climate accord to replace the Kyoto Protocol, expiring in 2012. China and India say wealthy countries including the U.S. should lower emissions by 40 percent from 1990 levels by 2020 and share technology with poorer nations to help them fight climate change.

Copenhagen Contribution

“India and China are most vulnerable to climate change,” Xie said today. “Both countries are in the process of rapid industrialization and urbanization. I am confident China and India will make a positive contribution to Copenhagen.”

The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and its Kyoto protocol are the most appropriate framework for addressing climate change, according to the copy of the agreement given to reporters in New Delhi.

“Both India and China are collaborating to ensure a fair and equitable outcome at Copenhagen,” Ramesh said. “There is virtually no difference in Indian and Chinese negotiating positions.”

China and India will cooperate on energy conservation and efficiency, renewable energy and forest management, according to the accord, which is valid for five years. It calls on rich nations to provide funds and transfer technology to help developing countries.

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