India and China Flags Unite
On November 18th, China and India, the world’s fastest growing countries, both in population and GHG emissions, signed a five-year agreement of cooperate on climate change issues. In the grand schemes of things, this is very large, strategic move. The agreement strengthens the ties between these two countries before, during and after the Copenhagen negotiations. According to the agreement, India and China will focus their cooperation on increasing energy conservation, energy efficiency, renewable energy and forest management within their countries. Together, they will strongly support provisions to ensure Annex 1 countries increase funding and technology transfer to the developing world.
This agreement also affords the two countries some leverage at the upcoming negotiations. Indian Minster of Environment and Forest Jairam Ramesh says, “Both India and China are collaborating to ensure a fair and equitable outcome at Copenhagen… There is virtually no difference in Indian and Chinese negotiating positions.” Together India and China have some serious negotiating power. A top UN scientist, Rajendra Pachuari suggest that India and China have the ability to “shame” richer countries into agreement by stepping forward and taking more responsibility than the world expects them to. Developing countries like India and China historically have called on Annex 1 countries to lead emissions reductions by taking responsibility for their historically high GHG emissions. However, developing countries are at great risk from climate change and realize the need for global cooperation to address the issue.
Read more at:
Gaurav Singh and John Duce. China, India Sign Climate Change Cooperation Accord (Update 1). Bloomberg.
Rie Jerichow. India and China sign major agreement on combating climate change. (21/10/2009)
Marianna Bom. IPCC: India and China have “moral force.” (30/10/2009)
Tags: China, climate change, coalitions, Danielle Hoffman, India, technology transfer
