Not hopeful of an agreement on climate change at Copenhagen — the negotiations for which begin next week — the group of four emerging economies, Brazil, South Africa, India and China, have set June 2010 as the next date by when a consensus could be arrived at.
The BASIC draft prepared and submitted by China to be considered during the high-profile negotiations, clearly points out that the Ad Hoc Working Group on Long Term Cooperative Action shall without any delay hold further sessions, in order to complete the work specified in the “present decision” (Copenhagen outcome) and the Bali Action Plan. The Working Group shall complete its work by June 2010 and present the outcome of its work to the Conference of the Parties (COP) for “adoption at the resumed session of its 15th session,” the draft says. The Working Group had emanated from the Bali Action Plan and is entrusted with the actual negotiations.
The sessions of the Working Group will be scheduled as often as is feasible and necessary to complete the work of the group, where possible in conjunction with sessions of other bodies established under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. The BASIC document recommends that the first session of the further sessions of the Working Group shall be held as soon as possible and not later than February 2010.
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Besides, it also suggests that the chair of the Working Group for 2010 will come from a party not included in Annex I (developed nations) and the Vice-Chair from a party included in Annex 1 to the UNFCCC.
The BASIC document strongly affirms the need to undertake further negotiations on any unresolved issues in accordance with the mandate of the Bali Action Plan.
The document describes the shared vision for long-term cooperative action as the target to achieve the ultimate objective of the UNFCCC to stabilise greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere at a level that does not increase the global temperature by more than 2 degrees Celsius. This would prevent dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system and recognise that social and economic development and poverty eradication are the first and overriding priorities of developing countries.
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To establish a long-term goal for emission reduction, it is essential for developed countries to provide adequate and effective finance, technology transfer and capacity building support to developing countries. Such a goal shall allow developing countries equitable development space and ensure their right to development, taking into full account the scientific basis and economic and technological feasibility, the document points out.