BEIJING, Dec 1 – China called on Tuesday for rich nations to heed the developing world\’s position on climate change just days ahead of crunch talks in Copenhagen aimed at tackling global warming.
"Developed countries should pay attention to the concerns and interests of developing countries," foreign ministry spokesman Qin Gang told reporters.
His comments came after representatives from China, India, Brazil, South Africa and Sudan, which currently chairs the Group of 77 developing countries, met in Beijing on Friday and Saturday to talk about climate change.
"Developing countries reached an important consensus in the meeting, which reflected their concerns and position on climate change — this calls for the developed countries\’ attention," Qin said.
Developing nations, led by China, say rich countries should bear the pain of emissions cuts.
At the meeting, the emerging nations stood by the Kyoto Protocol, the world\’s only legally-binding emissions-curbing treaty, whose present round of commitments would cut rich nations\’ emissions by around five percent.
They also asked developed countries to assume responsibility for emissions reduction targets in the second commitment period from 2013, according to a statement posted on China\’s central government website.
The December 7-18 United Nations climate conference in Copenhagen is tasked with framing a new deal for tackling global warming and its impacts beyond 2012.
But observers have warned slow progress in talks means the meeting is likely at best to yield a framework accord whose details will be hammered out next year.
China — the world\’s largest source of greenhouse gases — has proposed slowing the growth in its fast-rising emissions but argues that as a developing nation it should be exempt from cutting them outright.
Qin reiterated demands for industrialised countries to sign up to deep emissions targets.
"On the one hand, they should take concrete measures to work out a mid-term emissions reduction plan. On the other hand, they should provide financial support, technology transfer and aid… to developing countries," he said.
"Developing countries are also ready to work with developed countries to push for the success of the Copenhagen meeting."
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