Original version

BBC World Service Online

Business Weekly Archive

Factual: Money

Business Weekly brings you the best of the week's Business Daily programmes

*** This programme is no longer on-air, but please listen to our archive of available episodes online ***

Business Weekly brings you the best of the week's Business Daily programmes.

Business Weekly

Business Weekly Archive: Broken climate change pledges and energy rich Brazil

28/11/2009

Broken climate change pledges and energy rich Brazil

BBC World Service - Business Weekly Archive, Broken climate change pledges and energy rich Brazil

Broken financial pledges on climate change, plus a look at the energy riches of Brazil.

Has the poor world been shortchanged by the rich when it comes to climate change money? And a look at the energy riches of Brazil. Plus, is the Michael Jackson brand in danger of losing its allure?

If the climate change summit in Copenhagen is going to succeed, money has got to be at the heart of any agreement. Rich nations need to pay up billions of dollars to help countries which are most vulnerable to climate change. After the Kyoto protocol was signed, richer, industrialised countries promised to pay 410 million dollars a year to help the poorest countries adapt. 
But can we be sure that whatever money is promised actually gets to the people for whom it's ear-marked?  An investigation by the BBC World Service discovered that the money which was pledged back then cannot be accounted for. And that's led to accusations of broken promises, and betrayal. 

This week, the pledges on cutting carbon emissions have been coming thick and fast, ahead of the Copenhagen summit next month. China and the US have both put figures on how much they're willing to cut back on greenhouse gases. But if any country could afford to feel smug about all this, it's got to be - Brazil. Not only is it self-sufficient in energy, but a good chunk of it comes from renewable sources - like hydro-electric power.

Accessibility links

Programme Index

Business Weekly Archive

Broken climate change pledges and energy rich Brazil

Genres

Brand

BBC World Service Online

About BBC World Service