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Slow progress on UN climate curbs Slow progress on UN climate curbs
(about 1 hour later)
Governments remained deadlocked on the future path of attempts to curb global warming on the penultimate day of the UN climate convention meeting.Governments remained deadlocked on the future path of attempts to curb global warming on the penultimate day of the UN climate convention meeting.
The US, Canada and India were among nations opposing attempts to set binding targets for reducing emissions.The US, Canada and India were among nations opposing attempts to set binding targets for reducing emissions.
The head of the UN climate convention told reporters he was "very concerned" about the glacial pace of talks.The head of the UN climate convention told reporters he was "very concerned" about the glacial pace of talks.
However, some progress has been made on moves to reward poorer countries financially for protecting forests.However, some progress has been made on moves to reward poorer countries financially for protecting forests.
But delegates say much hard work lies ahead on many key issues before the scheduled close on Friday.But delegates say much hard work lies ahead on many key issues before the scheduled close on Friday.
Any long-term agreement should be flexible, allowing all countries to choose policies to suit their realities John Baird, Canadian Environment Minister Q&A: Bali climateAny long-term agreement should be flexible, allowing all countries to choose policies to suit their realities John Baird, Canadian Environment Minister Q&A: Bali climate
"I'm very concerned about the pace of things," said Yvo de Boer, executive secretary of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)."I'm very concerned about the pace of things," said Yvo de Boer, executive secretary of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
"If we don't manage to get the work done in time on the future, then the whole house of cards basically falls to pieces.""If we don't manage to get the work done in time on the future, then the whole house of cards basically falls to pieces."
Apart from the issue of emissions cuts, outstanding issues include the transfer of clean technologies to developing countries, and ensuring a sustainable flow of funds to the poorest nations to help protect their economies and societies against the impacts of climate change.Apart from the issue of emissions cuts, outstanding issues include the transfer of clean technologies to developing countries, and ensuring a sustainable flow of funds to the poorest nations to help protect their economies and societies against the impacts of climate change.
Binding bidBinding bid
The EU wants the Bali meeting to agree that developed countries must commit to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 25-40% below 1990 levels by the year 2020.The EU wants the Bali meeting to agree that developed countries must commit to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 25-40% below 1990 levels by the year 2020.
This would extend and deepen the current targets contained in the Kyoto Protocol, which expire in 2012. class="" href="/1/hi/sci/tech/7139797.stm">Stark forecast for Arctic This would extend and deepen the current targets contained in the Kyoto Protocol, which expire in 2012.
The bid for further binding targets is resisted by a bloc of industrialised countries including the US, Canada, and Japan.The bid for further binding targets is resisted by a bloc of industrialised countries including the US, Canada, and Japan.
EU delegates blame US intransigence for the talks' slow progress.EU delegates blame US intransigence for the talks' slow progress.
"We are a bit disappointed that all the world is still waiting for the US," said Humberto Rosa, Portugal's Environment Minister."We are a bit disappointed that all the world is still waiting for the US," said Humberto Rosa, Portugal's Environment Minister.
European delegates have said that if the US blocks progress here, they will boycott a planned meeting next month of the "big emitters" group, an alternative to the UN process based on voluntary agreements set up by the Bush administration.European delegates have said that if the US blocks progress here, they will boycott a planned meeting next month of the "big emitters" group, an alternative to the UN process based on voluntary agreements set up by the Bush administration.
But the US/Canada bloc is adamant that any mechanism for future carbon cuts must include major developing world emitters such as India and China, and that targets should not be binding.But the US/Canada bloc is adamant that any mechanism for future carbon cuts must include major developing world emitters such as India and China, and that targets should not be binding.
"Climate change cannot be fought through a cookie-cutter approach," said Canada's Environment Minister John Baird."Climate change cannot be fought through a cookie-cutter approach," said Canada's Environment Minister John Baird.
"Any long-term agreement on climate change should be flexible, allowing for all countries to choose the tools and policies to suit their individual realities.""Any long-term agreement on climate change should be flexible, allowing for all countries to choose the tools and policies to suit their individual realities."
Many developing countries have expressed concern that they too may be asked to look at committing to firm emissions reduction targets.Many developing countries have expressed concern that they too may be asked to look at committing to firm emissions reduction targets.
In part this is because they feel western countries are trying to distract attention from their historical responsibility for climate change, and the failure of many nations inside the Kyoto Protocol to make meaningful progress towards its targets.In part this is because they feel western countries are trying to distract attention from their historical responsibility for climate change, and the failure of many nations inside the Kyoto Protocol to make meaningful progress towards its targets.
class="" href="/1/hi/sci/tech/7139797.stm">Stark forecast for Arctic "We are concerned at the attempts to create a new framework which may result in the dilution of specific and timebound commitments on emission reductions by developed countries," said India's Science and Technology Minister Kapil Sibal. "We are concerned at the attempts to create a new framework which may result in the dilution of specific and timebound commitments on emission reductions by developed countries," said India's Science and Technology Minister Kapil Sibal.
Observers say that privately, some delegates from major developing countries acknowledge they may have to accept firm targets at some point, but there is considerable suspicion that the west may try to foist targets upon them that could retard their economic growth.Observers say that privately, some delegates from major developing countries acknowledge they may have to accept firm targets at some point, but there is considerable suspicion that the west may try to foist targets upon them that could retard their economic growth.
Tree lineTree line
Many developing countries, including the meeting host Indonesia, want the west to pay for preserving what remains of the tropical forests.Many developing countries, including the meeting host Indonesia, want the west to pay for preserving what remains of the tropical forests.
The Stern Review last year confirmed that protecting forests is the cheapest single approach to curbing climate change, as well as contributing to other environmental issues such as conserving biodiversity and safeguarding fresh water supplies.The Stern Review last year confirmed that protecting forests is the cheapest single approach to curbing climate change, as well as contributing to other environmental issues such as conserving biodiversity and safeguarding fresh water supplies.
Although committed to the idea in principle, some western governments are concerned about reliable management of forest funds, corruption, the longevity of forest protection agreements, and the possibility that some money might be claimed to protect forests that were safe anyway.Although committed to the idea in principle, some western governments are concerned about reliable management of forest funds, corruption, the longevity of forest protection agreements, and the possibility that some money might be claimed to protect forests that were safe anyway.
Trading Borneo's trees At the Bali meeting, the World Bank has launched the Forest Carbon Partnership Facility (FCPF) which will explore how forest conservation can be financed and managed.Trading Borneo's trees At the Bali meeting, the World Bank has launched the Forest Carbon Partnership Facility (FCPF) which will explore how forest conservation can be financed and managed.
Donors have so far placed $165m in its coffers.Donors have so far placed $165m in its coffers.
The Bali meeting is scheduled to close on Friday evening; but previous UN climate meetings, including the seminal Kyoto summit a decade ago, have over-run their scheduled end-points, and some delegates suggest this one may follow the trend.The Bali meeting is scheduled to close on Friday evening; but previous UN climate meetings, including the seminal Kyoto summit a decade ago, have over-run their scheduled end-points, and some delegates suggest this one may follow the trend.
Environmental groups are concerned that the political necessity of emerging from Bali with some kind of agreement will lead to a "lowest common denominator" text.Environmental groups are concerned that the political necessity of emerging from Bali with some kind of agreement will lead to a "lowest common denominator" text.
"Everyone wants the US in so badly that they will be willing to accept some level of ambiguity in the negotiations," said Greenpeace campaigner John Coequyt."Everyone wants the US in so badly that they will be willing to accept some level of ambiguity in the negotiations," said Greenpeace campaigner John Coequyt.
"Our worry is that we will end up with a deal that is unacceptable from an environmental perspective.""Our worry is that we will end up with a deal that is unacceptable from an environmental perspective."
Richard.Black-INTERNET@bbc.co.ukRichard.Black-INTERNET@bbc.co.uk