The Conference Statement1 provides a detailed analysis of climate change and its impact on developing countries. It calls for response measures in very strong and uncompromising terms, stressing the urgency of "aggressive action" by the international community. Among its many recommendations, the Statement advocates using fossil fuels more efficiently, introducing non-fossil fuel technologies, phasing out CFCs by the end of the century and transferring substitute technologies to developing countries on a non-commercial basis, halting deforestation, and stabilizing the worldâs population.
The Statement reminds industrialized countries that they bear most of the responsibility for climate change. The Statement asserts that, "having caused the major share of the problem and possessing the resources to do something about it, the industrial countries have a special responsibility to assist developing countries in finding and financing appropriate responses." It calls on them to adopt measures for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and to provide technology and funding to enable developing countries to do the same.
Developing countries should participate in the international response to climate change. . . The Statement notes that 20% of greenhouse gas emissions currently emanate from developing countries, and that this figure could climb to well over 50% by the middle of the 21st century. Consequently, developing countries are "potential contributors [to the problem] in the future and burden-sharers today." Developing countries should be particularly active in improving energy efficiency, pioneering the use of renewable energy, halting deforestation and moving toward net forest growth, and slowing population growth.
but economic development should not be sacrificed. The Conference Statement addresses the potential conflict between development and the proposed climate change measures: "The developing countriesâ contribution in response to the greenhouse challenge should be carried out in a way that enhances, rather than diminishes, development prospects. Where these are in conflict, priority should be given to development, which brings so many clear and needed benefits..."
The Conference Statement emphasizes the importance of research and training in developing countries. It recommends setting up national climate monitoring, research, and management boards to coordinate research and implementation strategies.
Notes:
1 "The Tata Conference on Global Warming and Climate Change: Perspectives From Developing Countries",
reprinted in American University Journal of International Law and Policy, Vol. 5/2 (1990), p. 554.