BASIC Countries KYOTO protocol

BASIC countries to frame common position on Kyoto protocol

The environment ministers of BASIC countries Brazil, South Africa, India and China will frame a common position ahead of the crucial Durban climate conference next month on several issues including the second commitment period of Kyoto protocol. The ninth meeting of BASIC countries being attended by Environment Minister Jayanthi Natrajan in Beijing on Monday is mainly for preparing the negotiations for the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Conference to be held in Durban from 28th November to 9thDecember, officials of the Environment Ministry said. "Because in Durban, we have to take some decision on many things. BASIC countries have to discuss what should be their strategy and their approach to the Durban issues. The second commitment period of Kyoto protocol will be on the agenda. That is one of the important issues. There are other issues too," a senior official of the ministry said. Kyoto Protocol favours only legally binding agreement which calls for mandatory emission cuts by rich countries and voluntary cuts by developing nations. India is opposed to any legally binding cuts for developing countries. Environment Minister Jayanthi Natarjan will be in Beijing on Monday to attend the 9th edition of the meet being hosted by China on 31st Oct and 1st Nov, they said. To a question whether China is in agreement with the recent statement issued by Heads of IBSA (India, Brazil and South Africa), the official said, "China is broadly in agreement with that (IBSA) approach." The joint declaration issued after the 5th IBSA Summit at Pretoria on 18th October had said, "The outcome of Durban should be comprehensive, balanced and ambitious, within the context of sustainable development and poverty eradication and in accordance with the provisions and principles of the Convention, in particular principles of equity and common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities." Describing the BASIC meeting at Beijing as "definitely very crucial", the official said, "It is important because the BASIC countries are the four biggest economies in the developing world. Their approach will be very crucial in Durban."