Developed world goes stingy on climate fund

New Delhi: More than 190 countries decided it would build up to a $100 billion kitty by 2020 to fight climate change globally but the Green Climate Fund looks set to remain an empty pot as the US and other developed countries have refused to commit the needed money or even set timelines for contributions.

In a meeting of the UN fund held in Berlin, the US and other developed countries refused to discuss a burden-sharing formula for contributions or set any calendar to schedule the initial funding. By December 2012, only $5.7 million was committed by the rich world to the fund. India was represented at the meeting by Dipak Dasgupta, principle economic advisor to the finance ministry.