Small island states argue that major polluters India and China must contribute to a climate fund

According to reports, small island states have said at the ongoing UN COP27 session that highly polluting nations like India and China should contribute to a climate compensation fund to help countries rebuild after climate change-related disasters. These remarks were given by Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister Gaston Browne on Tuesday during the meeting in Egypt's Sharm El-Sheikh.

According to media accounts, Browne's remarks are the first time that India and China have been lumped together as large emitters by small island states. Browne, speaking on behalf of the Association of Small Island States (AOSIS) negotiating bloc, told reporters on the sidelines of the conference that while both India and China are developing economies, they must contribute to a climate compensation fund.

According to reports, delegates at the meeting agreed to include the question of loss and damage on the formal agenda for the first time in the history of international climate discussions. "We all know that China and India are huge polluters, and the polluter must pay," Browne was cited as saying by media. "I don't believe that any country has a free pass, and I say this without malice." The expression "loss and damage" refers to costs already incurred as a result of climate-related weather extremes or consequences, such as rising sea levels.

(source : IANS)