CLIMATE CHANGE AND EQUITY: Kyoto's forgotten billions

Our collective Kyoto hangover/ temporary memory loss over the recognition of global equity imperils us all.
Why have we forgotten that, in the context of emissions, equity is a core principle of the UNFCCC Kyoto Protocol?
In relation to developing countries, the Convention agrees to a set of “common but differentiated responsibilities”, with the Parties agreeing that:

• the largest share of historical and current global emissions of greenhouse gases (GHGs) has originated in developed countries;
• per capita emissions in developing countries remain relatively low;
• the share of global emissions originating in developing countries will grow to meet their social and development needs.
  

YET, this equity principle for emissions is not central to operations or discussions under the Convention. Compounding this is added inequality in vulnerability to climate change impacts, which are expected to hit the developing countries hardest.