Commonwealth advances momentum for climate deal
QUICK SUMMARY | FULL STORY | KOHLER
By Pascal Fletcher of Reuters, with AAP
PORT OF SPAIN - Commonwealth nations representing one-third of the world's population have thrown their weight behind accelerating efforts to clinch an "operationally binding" UN climate deal in Copenhagen next month.
Leaders of the 53-nation Commonwealth meeting in Trinidad and Tobago used their summit to bolster a diplomatic offensive seeking wide consensus on how to fight global warming before December 7-18 UN climate talks in the Danish capital.
"The clock is ticking to Copenhagen ... we believe that the political goodwill and resolve exists to secure a comprehensive agreement at Copenhagen," Prime Minister Kevin Rudd told a news conference in Port of Spain.
The Commonwealth Climate Change Declaration pledged the group's backing for Danish Prime Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen in his efforts to secure wide attendance and commitment from world leaders at the Copenhagen climate talks.
"We pledge our continued support to the leaders-driven process ... to deliver a comprehensive, substantial and operationally binding agreement in Copenhagen leading towards a full legally binding outcome no later than 2010," the Port of Spain declaration said.
Tackling the thorny issue of funding for poor nations' efforts to fight climate change and global warming, developed countries in the Commonwealth led by Britain backed an initiative to establish a Copenhagen Launch Fund, starting in 2010 and building to $US10 billion ($A11 billion) annually by 2012.
Reflecting debate that has dogged the road to Copenhagen, developing states said much more money needed to be committed by rich nations to help poorer countries counter global warming and adapt to the pollution-reducing requirements of a climate deal.
"Right now, there is no commitment of the magnitude that is required. ... We need close to one per cent of global GDP, $US300 billion, to address this problem," Guyana's president, Bharrat Jagdeo, who heads the economic task force of the 15-nation Caribbean Community, or Caricom, told reporters.
Mr Jagdeo welcomed what he called the $US10 billion offer of "interim financing."
'Come to Copenhagen'
Mr Rasmussen and UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, who joined the Commonwealth leaders' discussions in Port of Spain, welcomed the climate declaration from the group.
Ban said world leaders should "stay focused, stay committed and come to Copenhagen to secure a deal."
Mr Rasmussen said 89 heads of state and government had so far advised they would attend next month's talks in Copenhagen, and Trinidad and Tobago's prime minister and the Commonwealth summit's host, Patrick Manning, announced he would be there too, bringing the total expected number to 90.
While next month's UN talks are not expected to result in the immediate approval of a detailed climate treaty, the wording of the Commonwealth climate declaration made clear its leaders expected any deal reached in Copenhagen would be "operationally binding" and lead fast to a definitive treaty.
Ban has said an agreement to lay the foundation for such a legally binding accord is now "within reach."
"Things are moving, are shifting faster and more firmly than what we could have imagined and that is excellent news," French President Nicolas Sarkozy added.
Rudd also sounded positive.
"I can't predict the outcome, but there are available to us the resources, political will and policy instruments to craft an effective Copenhagen agreement," Rudd said.
"It is there.
"We can do it."
Mr Sarkozy has lobbied CHOGM leaders, including Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.
The French president said Singh had told him he would attend Copenhagen and wouldn't stand in the way of a deal.
"Copenhagen is not a negotiation like any other negotiation," Mr Sarkozy told reporters.
"What is at stake here is the future of our planet."
Queen Elizabeth II, in her opening address to CHOGM on Friday, encouraged Commonwealth leaders to use the meeting to build momentum towards an agreement in Copenhagen.
"The Commonwealth can be proud of the fact that in each of its six decades it has shaped the international response to emerging global challenges," the Queen said.
"On this, the eve of the UN Copenhagen summit on climate change, the Commonwealth has an opportunity to lead once more."
Mr Rudd supported Brown's proposal for the $US10 billion fund, but released a list of five principles that should define how funding will be allocated.
One principle calls for the fund to focus on the "most vulnerable, least developed" countries, particularly small island states.
Mr Brown announced Britain would contribute $US1.3 billion ($A1.4 billion) over three years to the fund.
Mr Rudd did not say how much Australia would contribute, other than to indicate it would be a "fair share".
"If the United Nations agrees to establish a fast start fund to assist with adaptation tasks for the most vulnerable states, then five to 10 per cent of that fast start funding should be dedicated to small island states," Rudd said.
The deal the United Nations is aiming for in Copenhagen would cover tougher emissions targets, climate financing for poorer nations and transfer of clean-energy technology.
The climate treaty, expected to be adopted as a final text next year, will replace the Kyoto Protocol expiring in 2012.
Earlier, Maldives President Mohamed Nasheed welcomed the backing of the Commonwealth's developed countries -- Britain, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand -- for the proposed "fast- start funding" seen as essential for any climate deal.
"I believe the Commonwealth understands our predicament more than the others ... they have put concrete things on the table," he told Reuters.
On Friday, British Prime Minister Gordon Brown called for the creation of the $US10 billion annual fund, arguing such financing should be made available as early as next year, well before any new climate deal takes effect.
The idea was backed by French President Nicolas Sarkozy, who also attended the Commonwealth summit as a guest.
Prospects for achieving a broad political framework pact in Copenhagen next month were brightened this week by public promises of greenhouse gas curbs by China and the United States, the world's biggest emitters.
Related Industry Sectors
Related People