Adianto P. Simamora, Jakarta – A coalition of NGOs and local civil societies has asked developed countries to make drastic reductions in harmful gas emissions at a national level, rather than through carbon trading.
They said Thursday emission cuts from the carbon credit system could not be applied to meet commitments of countries listed in "annex I" of the Kyoto Protocol on climate change.
The Protocol, agreed to in 1997 by 189 nations, says developed nations must cut greenhouse gas emissions by 5 percent from their 1990 levels, from next year and through to 2012.
However the Protocol also says developing countries can host green projects where credit points (one point being a ton of carbon valued up to US$10) can be traded with developed countries who have committed to cut emissions.
"It is not fair if the rich nations keep emitting emissions and run business as usual, but then push the poor countries to develop a clean development mechanism," Nur Hidayati, Greenpeace's climate and energy campaigner said.
She was addressing a media briefing on the establishment of the civil society forum for climate justice (CSF).
To realize "climate justice", she said developed nations should cut emissions in their own countries, "because they are historically responsible for global warming".
Greenhouse gases include carbon dioxide, among others from fossil fuels used in transportation and industries.
She said developing countries including Indonesia were more vulnerable to any impacts of climate change.
Thirty local non-government organizations, including the Indonesian Environmental Forum (Walhi), the Indonesian Biodiversity Foundation (Kehati), Greenpeace Southeast Asia, Conservation International, Forest Watch Indonesia, Secretariat of Unity Indonesia and satudunia portal have joined the CSF with a view to voicing their concerns during the climate change conference in Bali in December.
Nur said the Bali meeting must also ensure the commitment of both the United States and Australia to cut emissions. Until now, the two countries have not ratified the Protocol, citing fears of loss to their economies.
The UN Executive Board, which is responsible for the CDM project, in August had approved 819 projects worldwide.
Pantoro Tri Kuswardono of the Walhi's national executive board said climate change talks in Bali seemed to be focused toward carbon trading issues alone. "The emission problem is not only about who produces what, but who benefits from it," he said.
The high greenhouse gas emissions released from Indonesia's forestry sector was also due to high demand for the wood products from developed countries," Pantoro said. "But the rich then call us to protect our forests. Is it fair?" he said.
Pantoro said the international institutions including the World Bank should halt funding projects that emitted carbon emissions.