Divisions to Hamper Doha Talks

Green climate fund still empty shell

According to agreements struck in Copenhagen and Cancun, developed countries shall provide developing countries with extra financial aid to help them fight and adapt to climate change. This initiative was subsequently developed into the Green Climate Fund.

According to the plan, US$30 billion dollars would be raised during 2010-2012 as the Fast Start finance, and 100 billion dollars would be raised each year by 2020.

As the end of 2012 nears, the Fast Start program still falls short of its promise, Su pointed out, adding that there is also a lack of transparency in terms of the actual amount of money being paid in.

Media reports have said that Japan had committed US$15 billion to promote clean energy in the developing world in 2010- 2012, half the overall total of the Fast Start scheme. Also, the EU is said to have committed around nine billion dollars.

However, there simply is not an effective and sure way to verify the actual donation that has already been made, Su said.

"Even if we have any assurance for the 2010-2012 period, we have no financing ensured from 2013 onwards."

"Fund raising and distribution after the year 2012 is expected to top the agenda of the discussions in Doha," Su said. "In the wake of the current global economic woes, persuading developed countries to contribute is no easy job."

Core principle at stake

The double-track negotiating process is set to expire soon, giving way to the Durban Platform which is expected to develop before 2015 a legal instrument applicable to all UNFCCC parties concerning anti-climate-change efforts after 2020.

As the platform, formally ad hoc Working Group on the Durban Platform for Enhanced Action, was a product of compromise coming out in the extended hours of the conference, it is lacking in specification on its details.

Some rich countries seem to be dragging on in the climate talks on the double-track process and attempt to pile the unresolved issues onto the Durban Platform, where they seek to forsake some core elements installed under the UNFCCC.

They particularly want to abandon the principle of "common but differentiated responsibilities," which obligates them to make deeper cuts than poor countries and aid their anti-climate-change efforts.

These countries argue that emerging economies will grow into strong powers and major emitters after 2020, and thus the distinction between the developing and developed countries' responsibilities should not hold.

Therefore, negotiators in Doha are likely to wrangle over this issue. Whether they can bridge their divergence will largely determine if they can have smooth and effective talks on the Durban platform.