Image Source: Carbon Emissions Trading Exchange
 
BY SHELLY YANG
 
 
The big three polluters -- India, China and United States, for the first time, have agreed to commit to a global deal on cutting carbon emissions. The agreement is the big achievement out of the United Nations climate conference in Durban, South Africa.

The new climate deal, called the Durban Platform, includes a second lease of the Kyoto Protocol, which was adopted in 1997 to fight global warming, and an agreement by more than 190 countries to work toward a legally binding treaty by 2015 to reduce carbon emission.

Although the UN marked the platform as a quote, “historic breakthrough to save the planet”, some environmentalists don’t think the conference did enough. The Financial Times says:

“The agreement reached was more of a victory for the UN process, than for the global climate, or in creating a new business imperative … Business will shrug its shoulders over Durban and wait for direction from national capitals.”

Al Jazeera says winning countries’ commitment is just an initial step.

“The real test will be the size and pace of those future commitments, with the science confirming that the window of opportunity to contain global warming is closing fast. “

And The Economist questions the effectiveness of global treaties without punishment.

“The Kyoto protocol is legally binding, but contains no provisions to enforce penalties against those who fail in their mitigation endeavours … Unless penalties for failure are inserted into the successor protocol, or instrument, or outcome … it is hard to imagine how it would have greater force.”

But, the Guardian says, getting 194 nations to agree on something is an almost impossible task, so this should be viewed as a victory.

“ … this alliance has provided a heartening example of how UN processes can empower small countries and progressive political goals.”

 

Environment News

U.S., India and China Agree To Climate Deal

December 12, 2011
(1:40)
The top three polluters have joined the total of 194 countries in the Durban Platform. Find out what it mandates.
   
TRANSCRIPT

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