Rich nations accused of 'green imperialism'

[jpak]

http://environment.guardian.co.uk/climatechange/story/0,,2111006,00.html

Asian business and government leaders have accused rich countries of hypocrisy, saying they run polluting industries with cheap labour in China and then blame the country for worsening climate change.

"This is green imperialism," Nor Mohamed Yakcop, Malaysia's deputy finance minister, told a panel discussion at the World Economic Forum on east Asia, a two-day conference in Singapore.

A Chinese aviation tycoon told the forum that the west was the original polluter, while an American businessman noted that Asia's energy consumption is relatively disproportionate to its contribution to the world economy.

But all participants agreed that instead of apportioning blame, the problem should be solved internationally and with private sector participation.

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