At the 15th Economic Leaders' Informal Meeting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) held in Sydney last month, President Hu Jintao made proposals for tackling climate change, including ways to strengthen cooperation, pursue sustainable development and promote scientific and technological innovation. He stressed that "climate change is ultimately a development issue and it can only be addressed in the course of sustainable development".

Hu's speech was echoed and supported by developing countries in Southeast Asia.

The international community has long recognized the right of developing countries to development with regard to climate change. The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) 1992 pointed out clearly that developed countries have contributed the biggest proportion of greenhouse gas emission historically and at present, the per capita emission of developing countries is still relatively low, the developing countries' emission quotas will be increased to meet the demand for their economic and social development.

As post-Kyoto Protocol negotiations continue, the right of development is being widely emphasized by developing countries, especially large developing countries like China and India. The Chinese government published its National Climate Change Program in June, which made it clear that climate change is ultimately a development issue.

Development is a necessary and irreversible process in human history. To a certain degree, climate change is irreversible too. This requires the international community to have a common understanding on emission reduction and development. Latest scientific research shows that global warming started as early as 500 years ago and human factors are not alone to blame. In such a situation, it is unreasonable to stress emission reduction while ignoring the right to development.

The fragility of developing countries shows the urgency to adapt to climate change and realize their right to development. Generally speaking, developing countries with underdeveloped economies are more vulnerable to the influence and damage of climate change. Take China for example, climate change has already caused obvious impacts on its agriculture, forests, water resources and coast areas. And the least-developed countries and small island countries are the most fragile ones.

The disparities and complementary relations between developing and developed countries have provided feasible and extensive prospects for cooperation in realizing the right of developing countries to development. Developed countries can cooperate with developing countries by helping the latter to reduce emissions. Such cooperation will help ease the contradiction between emission reduction and economic development. The Clean Development Mechanism advocated by the Kyoto Protocol has provided such a mode of cooperation.

The mechanism can help developed countries to fulfill their obligation in emission reduction and developing countries to realize their right to development. The trade in emission quotas can help realize both goals - emission reduction and development rights.

Another climate change issue which has emerged in recent years is how to guarantee the energy security of developing countries. Increased demand has led to high oil prices and developing countries have to depend more on coal, which leads to even bigger greenhouse gas emission. Past experience tell us that we cannot afford to pollute first and improve later. The most effective method to cope with climate change while guaranteeing the energy security of developing countries is to improve their energy utilization rate through technology.

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