KEY POINTS:
The fight against global warming will work only if big developing countries take on legally binding targets, says Canada's Environment Minister, underlining a major split at the Bali talks.
"If we want to take a voluntary approach for 70 per cent of the world's emissions, I think that's just a non-starter. It doesn't work," said John Baird, referring to major emitting nations, including big developing countries.
He said in an interview that China and India should act now to rein in their soaring greenhouse gas emissions.
Mr Baird rejected any mention in a final Bali statement later this week of emission-reduction targets that did not refer to a global effort, dismissing goals just for industrialised nations.
Asked whether it would be all right for China to take on voluntary targets, he said: "People told me voluntary targets don't work for the developed world. If someone can explain to me how they work in the other world, I'm open to hear the argument."
Mr Baird argued that if only rich countries accepted emissions targets that would simply shift emissions somewhere else in the world.
"We can close a steel mill today in Canada. But if we just import the steel from China, what will we have accomplished? Absolutely nothing."
- Reuters
