A bid to impose carbon tax on aviation and maritime transport has got thumbs down from developing nations with Cuba terming it a violation of the basic principle of the United Nations climate convention of common but differentiated responsibility.
The International Civil
Aviation Organisation and International Maritime Organisation have proposed carbon tax on the lines of what Europe would be implementing for flights landing there from January 2012.
Speaking at the ongoing Durban Climate Change Conference on behalf of India, China, Argentina, Brazil, Saudi Arabia, Thailand, Egypt and Algeria, Cuba accused the two organisations of trying to burden developing countries for meeting emission reduction targets of developed countries.
The international organisations want a global framework of carbon tax on airlines and shipping companies, which fail to meet emission norms of certain regions, such as Europe.
The European Union wants to extend its carbon tax regime called Emission Trading Scheme (ETS) to the shipping sector by 2015 and is looking at ratification of the same from the UN's top climate body.
According to UN convention, rich nations are required to reduce emissions and pay for climate mitigation in the developing world. The proposal, however, aims to turn the tables.
"These measures would have political, economic and social implications and affect trade, particularly in the developing world," the statement said.
Cuba also accused the two international organisations of proposing a tax regime without considering objections from developing countries. Indian environment minister Jayanthi Natarajan has already written to the European Commission opposing the "unfair" tax. Her sentiments were reflected in Cuba's statement which emphasised the need for transfer of technologies and money for developing nations to improve international transport.