UN climate delegate: Consensus on curbing greenhouse gases is critical

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Source: CCTV.com | 12-04-2007 08:37

The opening ceremony of the 13th United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) is held in Bali Island, Indonesia, Dec. 3, 2007. The UNFCCC lasts from Dec. 3 to 14.(Xinhua Photo)

Climate experts from nearly 190 countries are taking part in a massive UN conference in Bali, Indonesia to discuss solutions.

They say action is now critical for a new international pact to curb an increasingly destructive rise in world temperatures.

A key goal of the two-week conference will be to draw a skeptical US into an agreement to cut emissions of carbon dioxide and other so-called greenhouse gases.

The US delegation declared it would not be a "roadblock" to a new agreement, but Washington remains opposed to steps many other countries support, such as mandatory emissions cuts and a target for limiting the rise in global temperatures.

The American position suffered a blow on Monday when the new Australian prime minister signed papers to ratify the Kyoto Protocol climate pact.

The move leaves the US, the world's top emitter of greenhouse gases, as the sole industrial power not to sign the agreement.

Harland Watson, Senior US Climate Negotiator, said, "We certainly respect Australia's decision, President Bush made that very clear that it was up to each country to decide how to move forward."

Kivutha Kibwana (C), president of the 12th Conference of the Parties (COP) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and Minister of Environment, Natural Resources and Wildlife of Kenya, walks to give a speech during the opening ceremony of the 13th UNFCCC in Bali Island, Indonesia, Dec. 3, 2007. The UNFCCC lasts from Dec. 3 to 14.(Xinhua Photo)

Washington has argued that mandatory cuts in emissions would harm the economy and has questioned the veracity of global warming science.

While Australia's announcement was certainly seen as a significant step, analysts doubt the US will follow suit.

Artur Runge-Metzger, EU Climate Chief, said, "I don't think it will put pressure on the Bush administration to ratify the Kyoto Protocol, but at the same time I believe it will put pressure on the US to become serious in negotiations around a post-2012 agreement."

The immediate aim of the conference will be to launch negotiations toward a pact to replace the Kyoto Protocol when it expires in 2012, and set an agenda and a deadline.

The UN says such an agreement should be concluded by 2009 in order to have a system in place.