14 DAY TRIAL // Canada expects an international climate agreement to become effective within the next four years, to avoid harmful consequences triggered by climate change, according to the declaration of its Environment Minister Peter Kent.
He hopes the Durban summit will provide a “mandate” to negotiate the new legal framework meant to replace the Kyoto Protocol, expiring next year.
In his opinion, reaching a global agreement draws up the only viable path of overcoming global warming impact, preserving the current temperature level, of 2 degrees Celsius above the values recorded in pre-industrial era, the Vancouver Sun reports.
Experts have already warned that these values represent a “tipping point,” that have an irreparable impact on ecosystems, residents and global economies.
Environment Minister displayed a surprising attitude change, as he declared poor countries shouldn't be punished for their lack of influence and resources to stabilize the amount of greenhouse gas emissions.
Previously, he declared that developed countries have to assume a much more difficult role in tacking climate change, since poor nations can't efficiently cope with current environmental challenges.
"What we're seeing now is the developed countries' emissions are coming down, the developing countries' emissions between now and 2030 will soar," declared Kent.
In order to prove Canada is well-intentioned and eager to reach an agreement, Kent said he would work “hand in hand” with the representatives of small inlands, representing the group of nations most affected by global warming, in an attempt to boost the process of negotiations.
Even though experts warn that “later” might become “too late,” Kent thinks the timeline set for this target is more than encouraging."We would see 2015 as a reasonable deadline for a binding agreement taking effect (or) coming into effect," he added.
Apparently, Canada is willing to learn more about ways of curbing emissions and tackling climate change from China, one of the major emitters and an important voice during the negotiations.
Even though Canada said it would reject an extension of the Kyoto protocol, it would be willing to back climate actions with $1.2 billion (€899m), making sure developing countries will be able to contract loans and develop environmental programs on their own two feet.
All in all, we might hear more about Canada's plans, since Kent has denied the rumor stating climate negotiations will carry on, as the Durban summit will be extended by hours or even days, in an attempt to solve this environmental issue once and for all.