The push and pull amongst  developing nations,  emerging economies, industrialized nations and the climate- vulnerable blocs to delay or adopt a new climate agreement in Durban not only shows how complex the climate question is, but how nations put their interest first.

In spite of years of protracted negotiations and targets set under the Kyoto Protocol, no country has shown how to build a low carbon economy, as yet. Furthermore economic growth cannot be delinked from the growth of emissions. The rich world pumped in excessive quantities of carbon dioxide yesterday, the emerging rich are doing it today. Should poor countries simply ask their turn to also pollute in order to prosper?

The Climate change debate should include use of knowledge driven economy as a benchmark to sustainability. Knowledge thoroughly interrogated with agreed upon international standards will save planners from decades of emotive debate on this topic. Countries whether poor, emerging or already wealthy can then use such agreed upon standards to make the world a better place to live and be prosperous.