theburningshore

In 2008 Qatar rated No.1 in per capita carbon emissions. Australia ranked 11th, United States 12th, South Africa 42nd and United Kingdom 25th.

Since 1990 the per capita carbon emissions of Qatar have doubled, from 25 to 53.  Those of the other countries have changed only slightly, Australia and US around 18 and South Africa and UK around 8. Over the same time period China has moved up the per capita list, from 2.2 to 5.3 tonnes per capita – and sits in 78th position.

Meantime Tanzania, Malawi, Rwanda, Congo and numerous other underdeveloped African countries sit at the bottom of this table, with 0.1 tonnes of carbon emissions per capita, with little change over those 18 years.

Countries on the top of the list have the resources to deal with the consequences of climate change. Countries at the bottom of the list do not. 

While the UN Conference in Durban may claim great breakthroughs the Conference on Climate Change but the reality is that a committee has been established to help developing countries adapt.  The Kyoto protocol committed parties ‘in a position to do so’ to assist in technical and practical ways.  Given the current economic scenario in Europe post-GFC it is unlikely that many countries will be willing to commit resources that will actually make a significant difference.

In the meantime the struggles of Africa continue.

Source: Wikipedia