奥巴马访华 – 对即将举行的气候会议有多大帮助? | Can Obama really change with China?
Posted on 22. Nov, 2009 by Fontane Lau in China
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奥巴马于中国完成了4日3夜的访问，与过去的美国总统有点不一样，奥巴马在位首年内已经进行访华，可见中国的影响力日益提升。在气候变化的议题上，中美双方的联合声明中，以中文版本来说，所占的篇幅是第二长，仅亚于第一部份讲述有关中美关系的槪述。不知道有多少媒体有留意及认同这一点特色。中美于气候变化问题上，声明中能展现双方的诚意，笔者认为也有些可以进一步深化及强化的地方，槪述如下：
中美联合声明
中美声明中，表达各国要按「共同但有区别的责任」于进行应对气候变化工作，并且要按「巴里路线图」促进落实《联合国气候变化框架公约》，值得一提的一点，这并非新的倡议，而单看声明文本，其实是把两国各自于气候议题上的立场综合，再展示两国愿意合作的意愿而成。诚然内容不容忽视，只是，一切皆有待具体化及制订行动明细，以及时间表，否则各界仍只会在较少争议的地方徘徊而踏不上谈判正轨。那么，哥本哈根的谈判议程，将不会受到美国元首访华之行而得出风向图，仍欠缺促使各国元首有更强的政治意愿去达成公平、进取及具约束力的谈判成果。
一项比较让人吁一口的，就是中美声明中，有提出两国将致力达成最终的法律协议，那就要看看在两个星期内，各国能如何收窄分歧。而且，短时间内若无法得到共识，但愿也不会因时间仓促而减轻减排目标，皆大欢喜下急忙的签署协议，那只会落得更坏下场。
两国均认为，向绿色经济、低碳经济转型是十分关键，并制订或签署几项合作计划，当中不少与洁净能源、气候变化保护环境有关，比如说《中美关于加强气候变化、能源和环境合作的谅解备忘录》、《能源和环境合作十年框架》及《中国科技部、国家能源局与美国能源部关于中美清洁能源联合研究中心合作议定书》。
体察环保机遇及产业，哥本哈根会议仍有待具体明细
观乎中美联合声明有关气候变化的内容，整体是以发展环保产业为重点，促进科研、生产及信息的交流，为两国人民开拓环保事业相关的机会。
放眼全球 - 实况
现在于联合国气候变化会议的主要问题是发达国未能就减排目标、财政及技术技援等议题达成共识及承诺。而于巴塞罗那举行的联合国气候中途会议上，非洲联盟于首日离场作出抗议，要求发达国能为《京都议定书》第二个承诺期作出具体、实质的减排目标。他们发出了呼求声，发达国又可会考虑这些于气候变化的世代中首当其冲的国家呢？已有不少岛国受到殃及，气候难民不是什么新鲜事，但绝不能忽视别人在那边痛失家园，我们在较富裕的地方却因政治角力，徒费力气，不能按自己国家能安享太平盛世，发展国家造成的污染及排放温室气体，苦却是那群享受不到我们经济发展成果、但国家薄弱的根基要为严重的气候问题疲于奔命，以及难以发展。
During 15-18 November, Obama paid his first trip to China. Prior to his China trip, most reports were on how significant was his trip, in terms of being the first US president paying the China trip within the first year in office, and having speculation on how the US position China, and on what areas could the two giants cooperate.
Back to the heated topic on climate change, by observing the content of the joint statement made by the US and China, climate change is the second longest section in the statement, just after the section talking about China-US relationship. I’m not sure if it’s of any political importance, it is an indicator of how the two world leaders would like to develop in near future.
Talking about the joint statement
In the joint statement, it continued with the positions held by the US and China, it stressed that all nations should continue with combating climate change based on the “common but differentiated responsibilities” principle. They should bear in mind the Bali Roadmap when striving for better implementation of the UNFCCC. It’s wise to note that the above statement is not anything novel; it’s been mentioned for a while. Content itself is perfectly alright, it’d be much more impressive and important to have the operationalised version and execution framework with timeline available. Otherwise, the rest of the world will have no idea of where the 2 nations are up to and making Obama’s trip inefficient in helping the world leaders to make a fair, ambitious and binding deal.
Hu Jintao and Barack Obama have shown us one good sign, which is they’re looking for a final legal agreement. I hope other countries can now see how they could achieve such mission. However, my worry of the determination of having a legally binding deal without having much agreement on the conflicting details would be a watered down version of treaty, which I’d rather an agreement with a deadline of when to complete the negotiation within 2010, and not rushing for a treaty with minimal efforts shown on paper.
Both countries regard a transition to green and low carbon economies are important. Thus, they have got some cooperation plans with regard to development of energy, climate change and the environment. It’s because they regard by doing so will open up vast opportunities for the citizens from both countries. I hope they ride on such development is also out of the understanding of the urgency of climate change, and by not doing what will lead to what kind of consequences too.
The world – now and then
The current issue in the climate change negotiation is the missing greenhouse gas emission reduction target, national mitigation efforts, finance, technology support to be provided to developing countries. During the week at Barcelona, the Africa Group leave the plenary as a sign for all developed nations that what the Group was looking for has not come up yet, which was a reduction target to be taken up by the Annex I countries in the second commitment period under the Kyoto Protocol. There are a lot of island states, least developed nations and other developing nations suffering disproportionately due to the development of the developed world. There is no excuse for abandoning them in the negotiation of climate. I do wish to witness that we are born equal, from having a fair treaty.
Can Obama bring the change on climate behind the wall too?
Cover Photo: yunheisapunk (Creative Commons)