Copenhagen, December 18
With no signs of a possible deal at the Climate Summit here, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today made it clear that future negotiations on tackling the menace should be based on equitable burden sharing as enshrined in Kyoto Protocol and Bali mandate.

Addressing the crucial final day of the summit, Manmohan Singh said the outcome of the summit may fall short of expectations and warned against any dilution of the principles of the UNFCCC, particularly of “common but differentiated” responsibilities.

“Future negotiations must continue on the basis of 1997 Kyoto Protocol and 2007 Bali Action Plan and parties (rich nations) should deliver on their commitments for emission cuts. Kyoto Protocol should continue to stand as a valid legal instrument,” Manmohan Singh said.

He said it would go against international public opinion if “we succumb in its replacement by a new and weaker set of commitments.” “We have all worked hard to reconcile our different points of view. The outcome may well fall short of expectations, nevertheless it can become a significant milestone.

“I therefore support calls for subsequent negotiations towards building a truly global and genuinely collaborative response to climate change being concluded during 2010,” Manmohan Singh said.

Promising that India will not be found wanting to tackle global warming, Manmohan Singh hoped that the nations would bridge differences and come up with a balanced and also an equitable outcome in 2010.

“We can do even more if a supporting global climate regime is in place,” he told a galaxy of world leaders.

Manmohan Singh said: “As we embark on future negotiations, we would do well to take stock of what we have learnt from our efforts over the past two years. I draw three lessons, which should guide us in the task ahead.”

“Firstly, the vast majority of countries do not support any renegotiation or dilution of the principles and provisions of the UNFCCC, in particular the principle of equity and common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities,” he said.

He was referring to the developed nations insistence on binding emission commitments from the emerging economies like India and China.

“Further, the need for action on our part is more and not less than what was envisaged at the time of the Rio Convention or the Kyoto Protocol. That is why the Bali Action Plan commits us to enhancing the implementation of the UNFCCC,” he added.

Finally, he said that “it is clear that any agreement on climate change should respect the need for development and growth in developing countries. Equitable burden sharing should underlie any effective global climate change regime.” — PTI