As the possibility of continuing with emission reduction targets under the Kyoto Protocol for developed countries grows dim, India has stepped up its efforts to ensure a rigorous and robust system of international assessment and review for developed countries.
This system, agreed to at the Cancun meet last December, would allow for a review made by developed countries on their commitments to emission reduction and providing support, financial and technical, to developing countries.
India has submitted a proposal to the UNFCCC providing a framework for "international assessment and review". At last December's UN-sponsored Cancun climate change meet, it was agreed that a system of international assessment and review would be put in place to ensure greater transparency of quantified emission reductions targets and financial commitments made by developed countries.
The idea was to ensure comparability and build confidence. The proposed assessment and review would be applicable to all developed countries, whether or not they were signatories to the Kyoto pact.
New Delhi has argued that "existing procedure for measurement and reporting of targets of Annexe I (developed) countries does not create confidence and comparability." The proposal suggests that the review take place on the basis of "enhanced national communications and biennial reports."
This would include information on GHG inventories, inventory reports, support given to developing countries, progress made in meeting emission reduction targets, and the mitigation actions and the impact and effects of these actions towards achieving the nation's emission reduction targets.
India's submission comes at a time when developed countries have announced their intention not to sign on to a second commitment period for the Kyoto Protocol or have set conditions for their participation. Japan, Canada and Russia have said that they will not accept emission reduction targets after the first second commitment period for the Kyoto Protocol comes to an end in December 2012.
