HIGH COMMISSION OF INDIA, LONDON
PRESS RELEASE NOVEMBER 27, 2000
Minister Prabhu underlines key concerns of India in letter to
President of the Sixth Conference of Parties To U.N. Framework Convention on Climate ChangeHon’ble Suresh Prabhu, Minister for Power and leader of the Indian delegation to the Sixth Conference of Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change being held in The Hague, outlined today the key concerns of India and the developing countries in the ongoing negotiations in a letter to the President of the Conference, H.E. Mr. Jan Pronk, Minister of Housing, Spatial Planning and the Environment of the Netherlands.
Mr. Prabhu’s letter came in response to a ‘compromise text’ proposed by Mr. Pronk yesterday evening in order to break the deadlock in the negotiations at the two week Conference. The President had tried to strike a compromise amongst proposals put forward by different groups of countries. The Group of 77 and China had expressed their disappointment that the President had ignored in his text many of their concerns.
The text of Minister Prabhu’s letter, written in response to the proposals made by Minister Pronk follows:
Suresh Prabhu
Minister for Power
Government of India
Hague
24.11.2000
Dear Minister Pronk,
I have carefully examined the note circulated by you and I shall like to draw your attention to certain specific proposals contained in your note.
Let me start by emphasizing one of the basic principles that should guide our actions. Parties should recognise that the consideration of commitments in this and subsequent commitment periods should be based on the principle of equity in accordance with the equitable per capita emission entitlements and in consistence with the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities.
We are extremely concerned to see that the concept of supplementarity has not been sufficiently elaborated. This concept must be taken to its logical conclusion. We need to arrive at a quantitative figure of supplementarity to achieve the objective of the Convention. If we fail to do so, we will leave a big gap in our efforts which may be a cause of regret in future.
On the eligibility requirements of the project under CDM, the host developing country should be the sole judge for deciding the areas and choice of projects. The rational thing to do would be to pay special attention to state of art technology in conformity with the national development priorities, objectives and circumstances as provided for in the Convention and the Protocol.
On emission trading, I shall like to emphasize that the concept of cost effectiveness should not be the only criterion. Modification of long term trend of anthropogenic emissions of GHG must be one of the basic criteria. The purpose of emission trading cannot be to create a market. It has to be climate effectiveness and not cost effectiveness alone. This principle must be reflected in the modalities and the guidelines relating to Article 17 of the Kyoto Protocol.
Talking of the compliance system under the Protocol, I shall like to draw attention to the basic principle of differentiation between Annex I and non Annex I Parties. This differentiation must be maintained in accordance with Article 4.7 of the Convention and Articles 10 and 11 of the Protocol.
We are disappointed to see the proposal to include afforestation and deforestation under the CDM when basic scientific doubts have not been satisfactorily resolved. We should not be doing anything which compromises the integrity of the Protoco1. It also creates doubts whether in this case we will be able to achieve any of the stated purpose of the Clean Development Mechanism. I shall strongly urge the Parties not to act in haste only to regret later.
We are happy to see that funding has received some much needed attention. But we feel that quantum of funding must be related to actual requirements of the developing countries for adaptation and mitigation. Concrete steps need to be taken to address the issues of transfer of technology and capacity building.
I have no doubt, Mr. President, that you will keep in view the interests of the developing countries on various issues involved.
With best regards
Yours sincerely
Sd-
(Suresh Prabhu)
His Excellency Mr. Jan Pronk
Minister of Housing, Spatial Planning and the Environment
Government of the Netherlands
President of COP 6.
…………………………
The Hague
24.11.2000
*****
Press Release No. 76/2000