Gaston Browne, Antigua and Barbuda’s Prime Minister stated that nations that are highly polluting should be paying more towards the climate compensation fund. Browne claimed that China and India are two of these nations, who should be helping countries who need to rebuild after climate-driven disasters.
Browne was speaking on behalf of those within the Association of Small Island States (AOSIS), who believe that as emerging countries, China and India should now be paying their fair share.
This is the first time that China and India have been asked to pay their fair share, similar to major emitters, who are the UK, the US and the EU, that are or contain developed countries.
In a quote from Browne, he stated that:
“I don’t think that there’s any free pass for any country and I don’t say this with any acrimony.”
Both the EU and the US agree with this statement when concerning China. A representative for China at COP27, has announced that there is a possibility the country could have a new financial mechanism. This means that China could begin contributing money to poorer nations that have experienced loss and damage due to climate change.
This year, loss and damage have been added to the formal agenda for the first time, making the topic incredibly important and at the forefront of the delegates’ minds. Especially when considering who should be paying for the rebuilding caused by this loss and damage.
