Canada: We Accept Concept of Climate Debt

Canada gives details of new "Climate Debt Mechanism," announces details of pilot program in Africa. Ugandan delegation lauds proposal.

The Ugandan delegation to the COP-15 climate talks has been the first to react to Canada's announcement of ambitious new emissions-reduction targets and vigorous climate-debt reparations to African nations.

The Ugandan delegation convened a press event shortly after the surprise Canadian announcement, in a breakthrough moment for a summit marked until now largely by gridlock. Delegates, NGO representatives and members of the press crowded the room to listen to the impromptu address, although delegates from the United States, the UK and China were largely absent.

"This is the day that will define our century," said Margaret Matembe, MP and member of the Climate Committee of Uganda. "Today, we no longer have to wait for a COP20 or COP100 before the voices of our children are heard."

In a press release distributed this afternoon, Canadian environment minister Jim Prentice repeated calls to other developed nations to follow Canada’s lead. "The threat to world stability from climate change is too important for short-sighted negotiating postures," said Prentice.

The key question as negotiations enter their final week in Copenhagen is to what extent other countries of the developing world will take Canada’s lead. The outcome and efficacy of any final agreement largely depends on the answer to this question.