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| Version 4 | Version 5 |
|---|---|
| Global leaders reach climate deal | Global leaders reach climate deal |
| (about 4 hours later) | |
| A meeting in Washington of global political leaders has reached a new agreement on tackling climate change. | A meeting in Washington of global political leaders has reached a new agreement on tackling climate change. |
| Delegates agreed that developing countries will have to face targets for cutting greenhouse gas emissions as well as rich countries. | Delegates agreed that developing countries will have to face targets for cutting greenhouse gas emissions as well as rich countries. |
| The informal meeting also agreed that a global market should be formed to cap and trade carbon dioxide emissions. | The informal meeting also agreed that a global market should be formed to cap and trade carbon dioxide emissions. |
| The non-binding declaration is seen as vital in influencing a replacement for the Kyoto Protocol, correspondents say. | The non-binding declaration is seen as vital in influencing a replacement for the Kyoto Protocol, correspondents say. |
| The forum's closing statement said man-made climate change was now "beyond doubt". | The forum's closing statement said man-made climate change was now "beyond doubt". |
| "Climate change is a global issue and there is an obligation on us all to take action, in line with our capabilities and historic responsibilities," said the statement from the Global Legislators Organisation for a Balanced Environment (Globe). | "Climate change is a global issue and there is an obligation on us all to take action, in line with our capabilities and historic responsibilities," said the statement from the Global Legislators Organisation for a Balanced Environment (Globe). |
| 'Tipping point' | 'Tipping point' |
| The two-day meeting brought together legislators from countries including the Group of Eight rich nations plus Brazil, China, India, Mexico and South Africa. | The two-day meeting brought together legislators from countries including the Group of Eight rich nations plus Brazil, China, India, Mexico and South Africa. |
| Climate science: what's new? Hard bargaining for deal | Climate science: what's new? Hard bargaining for deal |
| The BBC's environment analyst Roger Harrabin was at the meeting and says that although the declaration carries no formal weight it indicates a real change in mood. | The BBC's environment analyst Roger Harrabin was at the meeting and says that although the declaration carries no formal weight it indicates a real change in mood. |
| The legislators agreed that developing countries had to face targets on greenhouse gas emissions, in the same way rich countries do. | |
| They said they want a successor to the Kyoto Protocol - which expires in 2012 - in place by 2009. | They said they want a successor to the Kyoto Protocol - which expires in 2012 - in place by 2009. |
| US senator Joe Lieberman forecast that the US Congress will enact a law on cutting emissions by the end of next year, possibly this year. | US senator Joe Lieberman forecast that the US Congress will enact a law on cutting emissions by the end of next year, possibly this year. |
| And presidential candidate John McCain, who is co-sponsoring climate legislation with Mr Lieberman, was emphatic on the need for new initiatives. | And presidential candidate John McCain, who is co-sponsoring climate legislation with Mr Lieberman, was emphatic on the need for new initiatives. |
| "I am convinced that we have reached the tipping point and that the Congress of the United States will act, with the agreement of the administration," he told the forum. | "I am convinced that we have reached the tipping point and that the Congress of the United States will act, with the agreement of the administration," he told the forum. |
| Canada re-opens Kyoto row | Canada re-opens Kyoto row |
| Meanwhile, the Canadian parliament moved to force the government to meet its Kyoto Protocol target for reducing emissions. | Meanwhile, the Canadian parliament moved to force the government to meet its Kyoto Protocol target for reducing emissions. |
| The ruling Conservative party argues that meeting the target, of reducing emissions by 6% from 1990 levels by the period 2008-2012, is impossible. | The ruling Conservative party argues that meeting the target, of reducing emissions by 6% from 1990 levels by the period 2008-2012, is impossible. |
| The parliamentary vote gives the government 60 days to formulate a plan for getting back on track. | The parliamentary vote gives the government 60 days to formulate a plan for getting back on track. |
| With United Nations climate negotiations in November failing to agree a timetable for mandating new cuts in emissions when the current Kyoto targets expire in 2012, the British-led Globe set up the Washington meeting in the hope of stimulating progress in a less formal setting. | With United Nations climate negotiations in November failing to agree a timetable for mandating new cuts in emissions when the current Kyoto targets expire in 2012, the British-led Globe set up the Washington meeting in the hope of stimulating progress in a less formal setting. |
| The UN's panel on climate change said earlier this month that higher global temperatures caused by man-made pollution will melt polar ice, worsen floods and droughts and cause more devastating storms. | The UN's panel on climate change said earlier this month that higher global temperatures caused by man-made pollution will melt polar ice, worsen floods and droughts and cause more devastating storms. |