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Asian countries sign symbolic global warming pact
mongabay.com
November 21, 2007
Leaders of 16 Asian countries have signed a “vague” pact on climate change according to Reuters.
In signing the agreement Wednesday in Singapore, East Asia Summit (EAS) members committed to eventually stabilizing greenhouse gas concentrations, but failed to set any specific dates or numeric targets. EAS says the pact will serve as a basis for climate negotiations at the U.N. climate meeting in Bali next month.
“All countries should play a role in addressing the common challenge of climate change, based on the principles of common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities; and that developed countries should continue to play a leading role in this regard,” stated the resolution. “[EAS countries] commit to the common goal of stabilizing atmospheric greenhouse gas concentrations in the long run, at a level that would prevent dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system.”
The group says it will seek to increase forest cover in the region 15 million hectares (37.5 million acres) by 2020. It was unclear whether this amount includes plantation forests which environmentalists say are increasingly replacing natural forests in countries like Indonesia and Malaysia.