From: Berhane Habtemariam (Berhane.Habtemariam@gmx.de)
Date: Tue Aug 25 2009 - 05:50:01 EDT
Africa to Seek Billions in Climate Change Compensation
By Peter Heinlein
Addis Ababa
25 August 2009
The African Union is considering a proposal to demand at least $67 billion a
year in environmental damages from developed countries at the Copenhagen
Climate summit in December. Africa is seeking a common position to increase
its bargaining power in Copenhagen.
Representatives of several African heads of state met at AU headquarters
Monday to determine how much the continent should ask in compensation at the
UN climate summit in December.
A concept paper obtained by VOA says the flow of money to support
'adaptation to changes in climate' must be at least $67 billion a year by
the year 2020.
In all, the paper recommends that developed countries commit to paying
one-half percent of Gross Domestic Product, or GDP for 'climate action' in
poorer countries.
Diplomats attending a closed-door session say several countries argued that
the demand should be much higher in view of the severe environmental damage
facing the continent.
At the opening ceremony, AU Rural Economy and Agriculture Commissioner Rhoda
Peace Tumusiime said Africa is one of the main victims of global warming.
"The global carbon trading mechanism that are expected to emerge from
international negotiations on climate change should give Africa an
opportunity to demand and get compensation for the damage to its economy
caused by global warming, bearing in mind the fact that, despite
contributing virtually nothing to global warming, Africa has been one of the
primary victims of its consequences," she said.
The proposal being considered by African representatives says polluting
countries must reduce their greenhouse gas emissions by at least 40 percent
below 1990 levels within 10 years, and by up to 95 percent below 1990 levels
by 2050.
The lead expert representing Ethiopia at the meetings, Desalegn Mesfin,
spoke of catastrophic consequences, unless the world takes urgent action.
"Addressing the climate agenda very soon is a matter of ensuring the
continuation of life on earth. Otherwise, the unexpected end of the world
will take place," said Mesfin.
Desalegn warned that, unless the African group agrees on a common position
within the next few weeks, it may be too late to make an effective
negotiating stance at the Copenhagen climate summit.
The Addis Ababa meeting is in preparation for high level negotiations to be
held next week on the sidelines of a special African summit in Tripoli. The
summit on peace and security issues was called by the current AU Chairman,
Libyan leader Muammar Gadhafi.
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