Negotiating the Delhi Declaration

The issue of emissions control commitments for developing nations was a source of serious contention at COP-8 as this account drawn from Earth Negotiations Bulletin indicates:

"Several Annex I countries supported a forward-looking declaration that would emphasize the need to broaden and deepen commitments globally in preparation for the second commitment period [post 2012] and beyond. Stressing the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities, a number of developing country representatives said Annex I Parties must take the lead, and opposed any process that would result in new developing country commitments. The United States stressed economic growth as the key to environmental progress, cautioning against burdensome targets for developing countries...

"[Following the adoption of the Delhi Declaration,] the European Union submitted a statement of concern regarding the Declaration, calling on all countries to engage in a common dialogue with a view to further action consistent with the UNFCCC’s ultimate objective and based on the TAR [IPCC Third Assessment Report]. Noting views from across the board in support of new commitments for developing countries, he stressed that the world is not “divided into two.”

"The G-77/China, with the United States and China, expressed its full support for the Delhi Declaration. Canada, with Tuvalu and Japan, said the Declaration was a disappointment as it failed disappointment as it failed to respond to the TAR and did not provide a long-term collective plan... [W]ithout a substantial increase in global mitigation, the race to adapt in time would be lost...

"Saudi Arabia said the Delhi Declaration was well balanced, and Nigeria noted that the Declaration recognized the needs of the developing world and pointed the way to new avenues of cooperation between the North and South. He praised the United States, noting it had shown leadership and signalled “a good prospect for change in the dynamics of the COP.”"