2009-10-21T09:39:00.000-07:00

Breaking News - James Rickman, SVS

India and China, both rapidly emerging markets are now leaders worldwide in fighting global warming, agreed Wednesday to stand together on climate change issues at a major global conference later this year. The memorandum of understanding was signed today in New Delhi by India’s environment minister Jairam Ramesh and Xie Zhenhua, vice minister at China’s National Development and Reform Commission. The agreement comes ahead of a United Nations climate-change summit in Copenhagen in December.

The agreement emphasized that the "United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and its Kyoto Protocol are the most appropriate framework for addressing climate change," according to a text released by India's Environment Ministry.

The December summit in Copenhagen aims to replace the 1997 Kyoto Protocol, the first international deal requiring reductions in emissions of heat-trapping "greenhouse gases" by industrialized countries.

Developing countries argue that the industrial world produced most of the harmful gases in recent decades and should bear the costs of fixing the problem. India and China have agreed to work on slowing the growth of greenhouse gas emissions, but resist making those limits binding and subject to international monitoring.

There is no difference between the Indian and Chinese negotiating positions, and we are discussing further what the two countries should be doing for a successful outcome at Copenhagen, according to the Press Trust of India news agency.

Xie Zhenhua, China's top climate change negotiator, said the agreement “will usher in a new scenario and take cooperation on climate change between the two countries to a new high”, PTI reported.

The United States rejected the Kyoto Protocol because it exempted developing countries, such as India and China, from obligations. Developing countries also want financial aid for their climate change efforts. The challenge in Copenhagen is finding a way to make a deal.

On Tuesday, India, Pakistan and six other South Asian nations said they will stand together at Copenhagen to stick with the Kyoto Protocol, which expires in 2012.

Wednesday's agreement between India and China comes as a diplomatic dispute continues over the northeastern Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh, which China claims as its territory since the two nations fought a war in 1962. India rejects Beijing's claim.

The countries have sparred over a proposed visit to the region by the Dalai Lama in mid-November, with China opposing the trip and India's Foreign Ministry saying the Tibetan spiritual leader is free to travel within India.

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As the founding director of SVS, LLC (Hillsboro, Oregon USA); Mr. Rickman has over 30-years of entrepreneurial success. A noted new media writer/graphic designer - founding member of Artel Software, Lumisys/IMAGRAPH Corp., AVID Technologies and Interactive MicroSystems, Inc. Recognized as expert in sustainable (wind, solar, biofuel, hydro, electric energy, clean water, agricultural, healthcare, consumer retail sales/marketing, technology) industries, financial, technical analysis and R&D strategies. Mr Rickman is a sought after published evangelist - innovative thinker recognized worldwide including COMDEX (Consumer Electronics), Asian Institute of Technology, United Nations Sustainable Global Development, ChinaInvestor News, SiloBreaker, BusinessWeek, Forbes, WSJ, FT.com, Seeking Alpha Global Financial News and the (NAB) National Association of Broadcasters. Mr. Rickman holds advanced business and technical degrees. For more information call (503) 621-4953 or visit www.sustainablevirtualbiz.com

India and China Sign Global Climate Agreement