Developed world must cut greenhouse emissions
Melbourne,
Dec
12:
Developed
countries
have
been
warned
that
they
must
do
"significantly
more" in
cutting
their
greenhouse
gas
emissions.
At
the
start
of
the
leaders
session
of
the
United
Nation's
conference
on
climate
change
in
Bali,
Indonesian
President
Susilo
Bambang
Yudhoyono
said
that
all
countries
needed
to
do
things
differently,
and
do
something
more.
But he said the principle of "common but differentiated" responsibilities and the international community had accepted capabilities since the Rio Earth Summit in 1992 and this should be part of the solution."Unfortunately, for so many years we have not given the concept enough flesh and bone," The Australian quoted him, as saying. In a pointed message to the developed countries, Yudhoyono said they needed to do "significantly more" to cut their own level of emissions.
He said it was essential for the United States to be part of any post 2012 arrangement because "otherwise we will not be able to effectively address the climate change issue".
For developing countries, a commitment to sustainable development was needed, he added.
Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd was greeted with warm and extended applause for his decision to ratify the Kyoto Protocol.
Yudhoyono singled out Rudd for praise for his "speedy ratification".
"I say to you Mr. Prime Minister: Welcome aboard," he said.
United Nation's secretary general Ban Ki-moon said reaching a comprehensive agreement would not be easy, but parties needed to use the Bali talks to promise that they would reach a comprehensive deal by the effective deadline of 2009.
Moon said the challenge facing the nations was an ethical one, and those countries with the least resources to deal with climate change needed the most help.
Ending the conference without a consensus should be avoided at all costs, Yudhoyono said, because this was not the time to let momentum slip.
ANI>