There has been a great deal of confusion since the Copenhagen Accord was agreed as to what the provisions relating to finance actually mean. In this briefing note, we address the following issues:
a. Whether the wording in paragraph 8 of the Copenhagen Accord binds countries under
international law;
b. whether a “pay by results” approach in developing countries is the correct interpretation of the phrase “transparency on implementation” (para 8 of the Copenhagen Accord); and
c. how, in relation to para 8 of the Copenhagen Accord, the language “the needs of developing countries” should be interpreted. E.g., will developed countries decide what the climate change adaptation/mitigation needs of developing countries are?