Bangladesh News

Small islanders staged demonstrations in front of the plenary session’s room at the climate summit in Copenhagen after the session was adjourned when the G-77 and China coalition divided in two groups.

In the plenary session, Tuvalu proposed amendment to the Kyoto Protocol rather than making a new deal under article 17 of the UNFCCC convention. This was strongly supported by Association of Small Island States (AOSIS) yesterday afternoon.

China and India protested this initiative and said the Kyoto Protocol only allows making a new deal not amendments. The Tuvalu claimed they have proposed according to the convention.

Connie Haggard, the chair of the session, adjourned the session as the house divided. The adjournment was strongly opposed by the small island nations and Tuvalu.

Chanting slogans “listen to the islanders” and “stand with Tuvalu”, the small islanders and at least two organisations–tck tck and 350.org–staged the demonstration in front of plenary session room and other parts of the Bella centre.

Bangladesh did not have a position on the issue.

Delegates present during the session said the Tuvalu presented the proposal and it was opposed by the giants of G-77 and China blocks because if the Kyoto Protocol is maintained then these developing countries will have to cut emissions.

But there would be no legally binding deal if they make a political agreement and the developing countries would be able to escape mandatory emission cuts.

Tuvalu proposed making a working group to amend the Kyoto Protocol where there will be emission reduction targets for developed countries and developing countries. At the same time they proposed a financial mechanism since it would be hard to make a new legally binding deal within this short period of time.

Police chased away the protesters and the session resumed.