Developing nations condemn "Danish draft"

A leaked Danish draft document for the Copenhagen climate change conference has caused an uproar in the developing world. It demands less from developed nations and sets a peak year for developing nations to limit their emissions.

The "draft" specifies how much developing countries should cut, and strays from the principle of "common but differentiated responsibilities" recognized by the Kyoto Protocol. The Sudanese chairman of the Group of 77 and China, Lumumba Di-Aping, has called the Danish text unacceptable.

Lumumba Di'aping, Chairman of G77 and China Negotiating Group, said, "The Danish text is an extremely dangerous document for developing countries. It is a total violation of the principles of transparency and openness. It is a rejection of the fact that the UNFCCC is the only legitimate forum for conducting negotiations by parties to the convention."

The text also proposes imposing a peak year for poorer nations to limit their emissions. Deputy leader of the Chinese delegation, Su Wei, criticized it, calling it "unfair".

Su Wei, Deputy Leader, Chinese Delegation, said, "It is unfair to set such a peak target for developing countries, which are still in the stage of industrialization."

Meanwhile, some 100 representatives from African Non-Governmental Organizations stormed into the conference condemning the "Danish Draft" on Tuesday. Spokespeople for the group accused developed countries of taking advantage of Africa.

Augustine Njamnshi, "Christian Aid" Representative, said, "The developed countries that don't want to sign reasonable commitments on these negotiations. We are not saying we want to walk out. We don't want our negotiators to walk out. But please don't force them to do so because Africa is too hot for us. We don't want people to continue to take advantage of us."

The top UN climate official, Yvo de Boer, has pointed out that the text has not been on the table "in a formal sense".