The moment of truth will already be upon us in a few weeks. In mid-December 2009 delegates from practically all the countries of the world will meet in Copenhagen for two weeks of negotiations. It will perhaps be the biggest meeting that has ever taken place.

The rich countries need to cut greenhouse gas emissions 95 per cent by 2050, 40 per cent by 2020. So says the Alliance Of Small Island States (AOSIS), which recently joined forces with the Group Of Least Developed Countries (G-LDCs) in demands for further commitment under the Climate Convention and Kyoto Protocol.

Many countries that have made commitments under the Kyoto agreement will have problems meeting them. For most countries this will only be possible by resorting to

As the push for a

While the impact of climate change is global, the response is piecemeal and there is an increasing burden on the developing countries, and the poor living there.