Climate 'mess' blamed on rich

2009-12-22 22:21

Luanda - The powerful Opec cartel's top official on Tuesday called for the developed world to fund the fight against climate change, saying the developing world was not responsible for the current "mess".

"The problem is, historically, developing countries, they did not participate in this mess. The mess was created by the developed countries and they should pay for it," Opec Secretary General Abdullah El-Badri said.

He was speaking at the end of a meeting in poverty-stricken Angola of the 12-member organisation, which sees a threat to its key exports in moves to reduce reliance on fossil fuels.

Badri cited "mistrust" between the developed and developing world which has pushed for wealthy countries to shoulder global warming efforts.

"Let us be just and fair and try not to put the burden on the developing countries," he said. "There is a mistrust between developed and developing countries. All of us should sit and try to solve it."

The final accord at UN climate talks last week in Copenhagen, put together by the major emerging and developed countries, has been panned by critics and climate change campaigners as a weak political statement short on specifics.

The accord set a commitment to limit global warming to 2ºC. But it did not spell out the important stepping stones - global emissions targets for 2020 or 2050 - for getting there.

The pledges were also voluntary and free from tough compliance provisions to ensure they are honoured.

- AFP