The Mitigation Challenge in Climate Change—Where Do We Stand?

The UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) does not impose mitigation obligations on developing countries since it recognises that Climate Change is taking place due to the cumulative accumulation of GHGs in the atmosphere, for which developed countries are responsible. This is the principle of historical responsibility and this is acknowledged by developed countries, including the US. Notwithstanding the principles and provisions of the UNFCCC, developed countries in the EU and the US argue that major developing countries like China, India, Brazil and South Africa, should also undertake mitigation actions, since their GHG emissions are rising rapidly and will overwhelm any reductions carried out by developed countries. While mitigation actions by developing countries, in the initial stages, need not involve absolute reductions, they need to represent a ‘Significant deviation from their business as usual emission trajectories’. There is a demand that such deviation be quantified and be included in the form of a commitment.