Poor nations “should have say” in climate talks

Environment Minister Moritz Leuenberger says the world's poorest countries should have a place at the table when a new climate treaty is negotiated.

“They don’t have the money to emit CO2 so how could they find the money to protect themselves against climate change?” Leuenberger said in a speech on Thursday at a conference on sustainable development in the Indian capital, Delhi.

He said a solution was needed quickly to finance adaptation, particularly in developing countries.

If a Swiss proposal were to be approved at a climate summit scheduled for December in Copenhagen, funds would come from a global carbon dioxide tax.

“Our proposal is now on the agenda for Copenhagen: Switzerland [wants] to establish a Global Adaptation Framework to bridge the gap between those who have the know-how and the means for adaptation and those who need it urgently,” the environment minister said.

Also speaking at the conference, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called on leaders to look beyond their domestic politics for a deal in Copenhagen.