Commonwealth High Commissioners resident in Trinidad and Tobago are sceptical as to whether there will be any consensus on climate change talks at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM)-the last major summit before the Copenhagen meeting-on November 26-29.

The diplomats attended a dinner-which provided a forum for Member States to engage in light discussions on issues expected to be addressed at CHOGM-hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at the Carlton Savannah, St Ann’s on Monday.

Malay Mishra, Indian High Commissioner, said the outcome of climate change talks at CHOGM was unpredictable.

’As the last important event before we go to Copenhagen this will be very important,’ he said.

’But how it will articulate that position which is going to be picked up at Copenhagen, that remains to be seen because there are many countries which are important in the climate debate angle and they are not going to be present here.’

India, which has had diplomatic ties with this country since 1962, has called for the developed world to reduce their emissions by 40 per cent and also demanded for one per cent GDP of Annex 1 (industralised) countries to finance climate change mitigation in developing nations. India’s stance over the commitments, has been portrayed as ’deal breakers’ by the Annex 1 countries.

’India’s position is still very clear that we believe in the principle of shared and differentiated responsibilities,’ said Mishra.

’We believe that we have our own commitment to undertake in the reduction of emissions but not at the cost of development because we are a developing nation and we have a huge population that is very dependent on the development process that cannot be sacrificed.’

Eric Jenkinson, High Commissioner for Great Britain and Northern Ireland, believes there will be various views articulated on climate change at CHOGM.

’It is an important meeting, it is going to determine the voice of the Commonwealth and it may be more than one voice,’ he said.

’Let’s not believe ourselves into thinking that we can all be unified. But nevertheless it will articulate the mixed views between the developed and the developing countries and the small island states as well.’

According to the British High Commission, the UK’s objective is to keep global temperature rises below two degrees Celsius.