§ Mr. ChaytorTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development what discussions he has had with his counterparts in developing countries concerning the allocation of greenhouse gas emissions rights on an equal per capita basis, as proposed by the Africa Group of countries in 1997 and the Indian Prime Minister at the 9th UN Framework Convention on Climate Change in December 2002. [171231]
§ Hilary BennTackling global climate change is a high priority for the Government and for the Department for International Development.
The Government are working hard to ensure that the Kyoto Protocol enters into force and is effective. The Government's focus has been on securing full compliance with the obligations under the Protocol's first commitment period; these do not of course apply to developing countries. However, DFID is also considering how the UK should engage in a future debate about wider commitments. This includes looking at ways in which developing countries can become more engaged in the debate on global greenhouse gas mitigation on terms that will allow them to follow clean development paths whilst meeting their development and poverty reduction objectives. The Department for International Development will be working closely with our partners in tackling these issues.