Climate proposal neglects poorer nation needs: Oxfam Australia

CANBERRA, Sept. 21 (Xinhua) -- The Australian government's proposal to allow developing nations to set weaker emissions targets failed to address financing shortages in poorer countries, an international aid group said on Monday.

Australian Climate Change Minister Penny Wong outlined a plan, during a meeting of world environment ministers in Washington, that would let the developing world set their own binding schedule to cut carbon pollution.

Oxfam Australia agrees with the government's idea of removing an obstacle ahead of the United Nations climate change talks at Copenhagen in December.

However, the aid group's climate change spokeswoman Kelly Dent said, it had failed to address the issue of financing for developing nations, which is a crucial roadblock in emission reduction negotiations.

"Asking a developing country to adapt to climate change and contribute emissions reductions without the financing on the tableis like asking them to take out a mortgage on a house without ensuring they have the means to make repayments," Dent said.

People in poorer countries were the least responsible for causing climate change but were suffering more of its effects like storms, cyclones and drought, she added.