In what could prove a significant development for faltering international climate change negotiations, Indonesian officials have revealed the country has been invited to join Brazil, South Africa, India and China in the so-called Basic Group that negotiated the controversial Copenhagen Accord with the US.
Agus Purnomo, special assistant to President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyuno on climate change affairs, told the Jakarta Post that the president had received an informal invitation from members of the group to join with Basic at future negotiations.
He said Indonesia was interested in finding out more about the group and was awaiting a formal invitation to attend a meeting of the countries in South Africa next month.
However, he also expressed caution at joining a negotiating bloc that has been widely criticised by both industrialised and developing countries for opposing efforts to agree binding emissions cuts for richer nations.
"We will first weigh up both the positive and negative impacts before making the decision on whether to join," Agus said. "We see the four are a group of eminent countries that need to be heard. Their voice is crucial for the success of climate talks."
The inclusion of Indonesia, which as a result of widespread deforestation is one of the most carbon-intensive developing economies, would further strengthen Basic's negotiating position.
However, Indonesia is also widely regarded as one of the developing world's leading supporters of sustainable development, having pledged before the Copenhagen Summit to cut greenhouse gas emissions to 26 per cent below business-as-usual levels by 2020, and could help provide a bridge between Basic and industrialised countries in the wake of the fractious fallout that followed the Copenhagen Summit.
Meanwhile, negotiators from around 30 countries have gathered in Japan this week to discuss how to restore momentum to the UN-backed climate change negotiations ahead of the crucial meeting in Mexico in November where diplomats still hope to agree a new climate treaty.
Attendees at the Informal Meeting on Further Actions against Climate Change, co-chaired by Japan and Brazil, are expected to discuss potential reforms to the negotiating processes in response to criticism that the Copenhagen Summit became deadlocked by repeated rows over negotiating protocols and accusations that some countries were being sidelined.
Small group of Latin American countries refuse to discuss negotiating text containing elements of Copenhagen Accord 01 Jun 2010
As Indonesia announces carbon target, EU officials are reportedly poised to propose emission caps for aviation and shipping at Bangkok talks 29 Sep 2009
Developing countries reported to have dropped calls for transfer of clean tech Intellectual Property 16 Oct 2009
New advisory group to report ahead of Mexico Summit on climate financing proposals, such as an international Tobin Tax or levy on aviation and shipping 12 Feb 2010Agreement clears first hurdle as major emitters submit emission targets to UN 01 Feb 2010
Power supplier urges companies with complex or foreign ownership structures to engage with the Environment Agency immediately 30 Jul 2010
Danish firm’s swan song gives way to new turbine blade maker on Isle of Wight 30 Jul 2010
Memorandum signed with Energy Department to use more renewables 30 Jul 2010
More news
Energy analyst's report questions wisdom of DECC’s energy review 29 Jul 2010
Telecity becomes 300th organisation to get the Trust’s official stamp for ongoing carbon reduction 28 Jul 2010
The price of decarbonising versus the price of business as usual: both are variables 28 Jul 2010 More in-depth
