The gap between rich and poor is based on respective priorities – only technology transfer holds the key

By Mike Smith

With so much information bombarding us from the Copenhagen Summit it can be frustratingly difficult to get a sense of the core issues and discussions taking place at the conference. There have been alarming developments, not least the chasm that appears to be widening between the rich and poor worlds , forcing talks to be suspended on Monday. But the key to any deal remains effective funding for green technology in poorer countries.

Looking at the crisis on Monday – rich countries are reluctant (or believe it is politically impossible) to achieve Kyoto-style internationally binding emission reduction commitments. Instead, they are reported to favour an all-inclusive ‘pledge and review’ system that so far would result in a ludicrously low level of cuts in emissions.

Poorer countries, on the other hand, demand deep and binding emissions cuts from rich countries but appear unwilling to accept limits on their own emissions, fearing this will curtail economic growth and development.

So what’s the solution? The key has to be technology transfer to facilitate ‘green’ economic growth in poorer countries. There are, of course, huge costs associated with this. But until this funding is in place poorer countries will resist emissions limits, in turn making their argument that rich states must accept deep and binding reductions unacceptable to the developed world. Politicians from the rich world will be acutely conscious of having to ‘sell’ any agreement on cuts to a public and legislatures back home – impossible without being able to show that every country is taking their fair share of ‘pain’ in terms of emissions cuts.

Funding for technology transfer becomes the crucial lubricant allowing the other pieces of a deal to more easily fall into place. The question is, how to achieve this?

It’s easier said than done, but leaders must remember that failing to act will cost the world more in the long run. One thing is certain – the negotiators won’t be getting much sleep over the coming days.