At the meeting of International Maritime Organization (IMO) called to consider implementation of the Green House Gases (GHG) emission control regulatory regime, India and other like-minded nations successfully warded off pressure from developed countries to toe the line. On the other hand India, along with Brazil, China, Argentina, South Africa, Saudi Arabia and others succeeded in getting the international body to accede to the contention that any GHG emission control measure from IMO must respect the fundamental principle of the UNFCCC and its Kyoto Protocol, which clearly links any obligation of the developing countries to undertake climate change related measures, to the technological and financial support received from the developed countries.
The Kyoto Protocol is an international agreement linked to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), which commits its parties by setting internationally binding emission reduction targets. Recognizing that developed countries are principally responsible for the current high levels of GHG emissions in the atmosphere as a result of more than 150 years of industrial activity, the Protocol places a heavier burden on developed nations under the principle of "common but differentiated responsibilities (CBDR)."
According to a member of the Indian delegation who attended the meeting, who said, “The developed countries have been trying all along to get the developing countries to accept equal responsibility. We pointed out that basically it was the developed countries that have been responsible for pollution all along while prospering in the process. India impressed upon them that the developing countries should have the capacity and technology to implement the “Common But Differentiated Responsibility and Respective Capabilities (CBDR-RC). For this the developing countries need assistance and the developed countries should take greater responsibility.”
Subsequent to vigorous pursuance by India along with the block of like-minded countries, a MEOC resolution on financial, technological and capacity building support has now been adopted by MEPC-65, with clear references to the UNFCCC and CBDR-RC despite strong reservations from the developed countries. The inherent principles of no more favorable treatment and non-discrimination of the IMO, have however, been preserved in the resolution. (MEPC=Marine Environment Protection Committee)
“If developing countries were to accept equitable responsibility it would have placed them at a great disadvantage at the same time sounding the death knell for many of the shipping companies and also the shipyards,” stated the official. “On the one hand we do not have the required technology, and patents, in most cases are with the developed nations. To obtain the technology from them would be costly for which we do not have the finance. While on the other hand the developed countries have a bigger lead over us as they have benefitted all along through unbridled pollution. Unless the developed nations give us the money we cannot implement the regulation.
“For us this is a big achievement as we have got around the developed countries to recognize our position,” informed the official. “They have responded by showing concern and have agreed to be the major contributor. According to the resolution adopted the responsibility of the developed nations will be greater. The committee appointed will consider how best the GHG control measures should be framed and implemented. It will consider how contributions to the fund will be made by the developed nations and how it is to be used. It will also work out the modus operandi for capacity building and technology transfer.”
The Kyoto Protocol is an international agreement linked to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), which commits its parties by setting internationally binding emission reduction targets. Recognizing that developed countries are principally responsible for the current high levels of GHG emissions in the atmosphere as a result of more than 150 years of industrial activity, the Protocol places a heavier burden on developed nations under the principle of "common but differentiated responsibilities (CBDR)."
According to a member of the Indian delegation who attended the meeting, who said, “The developed countries have been trying all along to get the developing countries to accept equal responsibility. We pointed out that basically it was the developed countries that have been responsible for pollution all along while prospering in the process. India impressed upon them that the developing countries should have the capacity and technology to implement the “Common But Differentiated Responsibility and Respective Capabilities (CBDR-RC). For this the developing countries need assistance and the developed countries should take greater responsibility.”
Subsequent to vigorous pursuance by India along with the block of like-minded countries, a MEOC resolution on financial, technological and capacity building support has now been adopted by MEPC-65, with clear references to the UNFCCC and CBDR-RC despite strong reservations from the developed countries. The inherent principles of no more favorable treatment and non-discrimination of the IMO, have however, been preserved in the resolution. (MEPC=Marine Environment Protection Committee)
“If developing countries were to accept equitable responsibility it would have placed them at a great disadvantage at the same time sounding the death knell for many of the shipping companies and also the shipyards,” stated the official. “On the one hand we do not have the required technology, and patents, in most cases are with the developed nations. To obtain the technology from them would be costly for which we do not have the finance. While on the other hand the developed countries have a bigger lead over us as they have benefitted all along through unbridled pollution. Unless the developed nations give us the money we cannot implement the regulation.
“For us this is a big achievement as we have got around the developed countries to recognize our position,” informed the official. “They have responded by showing concern and have agreed to be the major contributor. According to the resolution adopted the responsibility of the developed nations will be greater. The committee appointed will consider how best the GHG control measures should be framed and implemented. It will consider how contributions to the fund will be made by the developed nations and how it is to be used. It will also work out the modus operandi for capacity building and technology transfer.”