The Joint Parliamentary Assembly (JPA) of African, Carribean and Pacific (ACP) MPs and Members of the European Parliament met in Luanda in Angola last week and adopted a resolution ahead of the Copenhagen Climate Conference. The resolution adopted by the ACP-EU JPA, which meets twice a year and is comprised by 78 MEPs and 78 parliamentarians from African, Carribean and Pacific countries, sets forth its recommendations for what goals it believes should be achieved in the negotiations.

The resolution states that the principle of 'common but differentiated' responsibility should apply to any potential deal, and sees helping developing countries as the key issue in coping with the climate change challenge.

Furthermore the post-Kyoto deal should be legally-binding, and in addition to the principle of common and differentiated responsibility, should also take equity and social justice into consideration.

Finally, they have also called on industrialised economies to make appropriate commitments themselves. In other words the JPA expects developed countries to set the example by substantially reducing their own emissions, given their historical responsibility and their ability to make stronger commitments.