The Copenhagen Accord acknowledges the scientific view that the increase in global temperature must be limited to no more than 2 degrees in order to keep our planet the way we know it. This view is shared by most countries, rich and poor. This political accord has set a January 31 2010 deadline for rich nations to present economy-wide emissionsEmissions of greenhouse gases, greenhouse gas precursors, and aerosols associated with human activities, including the burning of fossil fuels, deforestation, land-use changes, livestock, fertilisation, etc. (IPCC) targets for 2020, and for developing nations to submit their voluntary plans to cut CO₂ emissions. These developing and emerging nations are to communicate those efforts every two years. MitigationMitigation refers to actions that reduce our contribution to the causes of climate change. This means reducing emissions of greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide (CO2), through energy efficiency and using alternative forms of transport and energy.(UKCIP) action that needs international support will be recorded with relevant technology, finance and capacity building support from industrialized nations.

Now four of the world’s fastest growing emerging nations have decided to  meet in New Delhi this month ahead of the January 31 deadline. Ministers of Brazil, South Africa, India and China (BASIC countries), some of the world’s fastest growing GHG-emitters, will meet either on January 24 or 25 in New Delhi to coordinate the positions of the four countries with respect to the submission of actions, pledges and future negotiations. They are to discuss any problems that may arise, and any further issues that a member country raises.

All countries supporting the Copenhagen Accord are to add their reduction commitments to the schedule at the end of the document by the end of January. Industrialized nations will commit to implement emissions targets, but there is some concern about how countries might change their minds about some commitments by the time a new deal will be reached.  There seems to be a general problem about trust, like the issue of monitoring CO₂ reduction actions  taken by developing countries. Especially the United States are keen one this one, they call regular reporting and analysis of CO₂ curbs a necessity in order to built trust. And even if Indian officials have ruled out any revisiting of the countries’ position on the accord, some clarifications could be sought on the issue of monitoring CO₂ reduction actions by developing countries.

The question here is who will analyze, monitor and constitute. These definitions have to be clearly agreed on by all participating countries. Again it’s about trust.

Shirish Sinha, WWF India’s top climateClimate is typically defined as the average weather (or more rigorously a statistical description of the average in terms of the mean and variability) over a period of time, usually 30 years. These quantities are most often surface variables such as temperature, precipitation, and wind. Climate ... official, said that if any of the four BASIC would not submit their actions and pledges in time, the blame game would start again. It has the appearance that nobody wants to defeat an accord which was to put a more vigorous political process in place.

The meeting in New Delhi is so important because whatever comes out of it could be shaping the legally binding climate pact the United NationsThe United Nations Organization (UNO) is an international organization that focuses on facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace. It was founded in 1945 after World War II to replace ... hopes to seal at the end of the year. The next annual UNThe United Nations Organization (UNO) is an international organization that focuses on facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace. It was founded in 1945 after World War II to replace ... Climate ChangeClimate change is a lasting change in weather patterns over long periods of time. It can be a natural phenomena and and has occurred on Earth even before people inhabited it. Quite different is a current situation that is also referred to as climate change, anthropogenic climate change, or ... Conference will be held towards the end of the year in Mexico City, and there will be a negotiating session in Bonn, Germany, in June. Yvo de Boer sees the challenge there in turning what has been politically agreed in Copenhagen into something real, measurable and verifiable.

There is good will everywhere-now let’s stop blaming and distrusting one another, and start working together!