Developing nations return to climate change talks: EU
CBC News - World - Developing nations return to climate change talks: EU
The European Union said developing nations have ended their Monday boycott of
United Nations climate change talks in Copenhagen, allowing negotiations to
continue towards a new global treaty on responding to global warming.
EU environment spokesman Andreas Carlgren says informal negotiations have
resolved the impasse and said
the developing nations have found a solution to their
dispute with rich nations,
although it's unclear what brought them back to the
table.
China, India and poorer nations walked out of the talks with demands that
developed countries discuss deeper reductions of greenhouse gas emissions.
Formal working groups were cancelled at the 192-nation conference after
developing countries called for the 1997 Kyoto Protocol to be extended past 2012,
when it is expected to expire.
Kyoto imposed penalties on rich nations that did not comply with its strict emission
limits but made no such binding agreements on developing nations. As well, Kyoto
would not apply to non-signatories such as the United States.
Observers suggested the move was an attempt to put pressure on world leaders,
many of whom are expected to arrive in Copenhagen on Tuesday.
"They are trying to put the pressure on", said Gustavo Silva-Chavez, a climate
change specialist with the Environmental Defence Fund. "They want to make sure
that developed countries are not left off the hook."
Canada's Environment Minister Jim Prentice told reporters on Monday the decision
to boycott negotiations was "not particularly helpful" and said "we lost some
important time today."
More than 100 world leaders, including Prime Minister Stephen Harper and U.S.
President Barack Obama, are expected to arrive at the summit for a leader's
conference.
The dragging negotiations have spurred protests from environmentalists in the
Danish capital, with hundreds of police keeping a close eye on a demonstration that
attracted over 3,000 activists.
More than 1,200 people were detained in weekend protests, although almost all
were released after questioning.