G77+China Press Briefing: Dec. 3rd

The G77+China, a large negotiating block of 137 developing nations, commented on difficulties within negotiations due to intransigence from “certain parties” and the introduction of new and vague language within the text, saying that they were “nowhere close” to adopting a legally binding agreement next week. 

In a press conference led by the Chair from the G77 +China, Nozipho Joyce Mxakato-Diseko of South Africa, developed countries were reprimanded for shirking financial responsibilities and making attempts to use the conference in Paris to “redraft the Convention” which governs the negotiations of the agreement. 

Efforts to weaken the language regarding the obligation to finance actions that counter climate change by including the phrase “countries willing to do so,” go against the principles of the Convention, agreed upon in Kyoto.  The Convention recognizes that developed countries are responsible for most of the greenhouse gas emissions that have caused the climate crisis and that remaining emissions are reserved for development, illustrated the G77+China. 

Mxakato-Diseko argued that the classifications that allocates the responsibilities in mitigating emissions and financing adaptation is too vague.  Specific legal definitions are needed to ensure accountability and action, she noted.