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Climate talks stuck on Kyoto deal Climate talks stuck on Kyoto deal
(about 1 hour later)
There are signs that in the final phase of this year's UN climate talks some of the outstanding issues are being resolved in private negotiations.There are signs that in the final phase of this year's UN climate talks some of the outstanding issues are being resolved in private negotiations.
However on the most fundamental issue, a review of the Kyoto Protocol, no agreement has yet been reached. However, on the most fundamental issue, a review of the Kyoto Protocol, no agreement has yet been reached.
Environment and development groups say the measures presented here do not match the scale of the problem.Environment and development groups say the measures presented here do not match the scale of the problem.
There will be no deal on mandatory cuts in emissions and a firm timetable for negotiating cuts looks unlikely.There will be no deal on mandatory cuts in emissions and a firm timetable for negotiating cuts looks unlikely.
'Bold leadership''Bold leadership'
Andrew Pendleton, climate analyst with the charity Christian Aid, said: "It's very clear from... the latest scientific information, from the impacts we're already seeing in places like Kenya, that we need very rapid cuts in carbon emissions, and we need the negotiations to start next year and finish at the latest in 2008."Andrew Pendleton, climate analyst with the charity Christian Aid, said: "It's very clear from... the latest scientific information, from the impacts we're already seeing in places like Kenya, that we need very rapid cuts in carbon emissions, and we need the negotiations to start next year and finish at the latest in 2008."
Some climate change issues remain unresolved after two weeks of talksSome climate change issues remain unresolved after two weeks of talks
The draft agreement here in Kenya's capital, Nairobi, speaks of discussions, not formal negotiations, beginning in the next few months, but with no timetable for starting and finishing the negotiations themselves.The draft agreement here in Kenya's capital, Nairobi, speaks of discussions, not formal negotiations, beginning in the next few months, but with no timetable for starting and finishing the negotiations themselves.
"From Christian Aid's point of view that's simply not good enough, and we need some heads to be knocked together by somebody but I don't know who that is," Mr Pendleton said."From Christian Aid's point of view that's simply not good enough, and we need some heads to be knocked together by somebody but I don't know who that is," Mr Pendleton said.
The big fear among activists is that unless talks start soon, there will not be enough time to get a new deal on cuts agreed by the time the existing Kyoto Protocol targets expire in 2012.The big fear among activists is that unless talks start soon, there will not be enough time to get a new deal on cuts agreed by the time the existing Kyoto Protocol targets expire in 2012.
"Ministers are simply not reflecting the urgency which is being felt in the real world," said Catherine Pearce, international climate campaigner with Friends of the Earth UK."Ministers are simply not reflecting the urgency which is being felt in the real world," said Catherine Pearce, international climate campaigner with Friends of the Earth UK.
"We are still not seeing the bold leadership which is needed here.""We are still not seeing the bold leadership which is needed here."
Outstanding reviewOutstanding review
The most important of the issues outstanding as the talks entered their final phase concerned the review of Kyoto.The most important of the issues outstanding as the talks entered their final phase concerned the review of Kyoto.
Farmers in southern Australia are suffering in an exceptional drought Farmers in southern Australia are suffering in an exceptional droughtThe protocol states that it should be reviewed at this stage, with many of its measures open to discussion.
The protocol states that it should be reviewed at this stage, with many of its measures open to discussion.
A number of developing countries view this with suspicion, believing that it may open the door to demands that they consider binding cuts in emissions, possibly impacting economic development.A number of developing countries view this with suspicion, believing that it may open the door to demands that they consider binding cuts in emissions, possibly impacting economic development.
They are asking for a minimal review; whereas the European Union, with the support of a number of other nations, wants a root and branch examination of emission targets and all the other components of the protocol such as the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM), a device for bringing money from Western countries to developing nations for clean development projects.They are asking for a minimal review; whereas the European Union, with the support of a number of other nations, wants a root and branch examination of emission targets and all the other components of the protocol such as the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM), a device for bringing money from Western countries to developing nations for clean development projects.
Another issue of disagreement remaining is a Russian proposal to allow countries to join the Kyoto Protocol, or elements of it, on a voluntary basis.Another issue of disagreement remaining is a Russian proposal to allow countries to join the Kyoto Protocol, or elements of it, on a voluntary basis.
One area of contention outstanding at the beginning of the day has apparently been resolved, with the decision that projects involving carbon capture and storage (CCS) should not at this stage be eligible for CDM funds. CCS is viewed by many as an immature technology.One area of contention outstanding at the beginning of the day has apparently been resolved, with the decision that projects involving carbon capture and storage (CCS) should not at this stage be eligible for CDM funds. CCS is viewed by many as an immature technology.
State powerState power
On the sidelines, a group of states, provinces and local authorities has launched a voluntary collaboration called the States Climate Alliance aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions.On the sidelines, a group of states, provinces and local authorities has launched a voluntary collaboration called the States Climate Alliance aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
The group, co-ordinated by The Climate Group, a UK organisation, includes such diverse regions as Scotland, California, Quebec and South Australia.The group, co-ordinated by The Climate Group, a UK organisation, includes such diverse regions as Scotland, California, Quebec and South Australia.
"Often the governments of states have a lot of power to regulate emissions, but they're not included in national negotiations," said Climate Group CEO Steve Howard. href="/1/shared/spl/hi/pop_ups/06/sci_nat_un_climate_change_conference/html/1.stm" onClick="window.open('http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/spl/hi/pop_ups/06/sci_nat_un_climate_change_conference/html/1.stm', '1163694372', 'toolbar=0,scrollbars=0,location=0,statusbar=0,menubar=0,resizable=1,width=500,height=400,left=312,top=100'); return false;">Views of delegates at the UN climate conference in Nairobi href="/1/shared/spl/hi/pop_ups/06/sci_nat_un_climate_change_conference/html/1.stm" onClick="window.open('http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/spl/hi/pop_ups/06/sci_nat_un_climate_change_conference/html/1.stm', '1163694372', 'toolbar=0,scrollbars=0,location=0,statusbar=0,menubar=0,resizable=1,width=500,height=400,left=312,top=100'); return false;" >In pictures "Often the governments of states have a lot of power to regulate emissions, but they're not included in national negotiations," said Climate Group CEO Steve Howard.
"They may regulate electricity supply or energy efficiency standards."They may regulate electricity supply or energy efficiency standards.
"Some of them, like California, have enacted strict legislation on cutting emissions, while others such as South Australia, with its exceptional drought, are experiencing severe weather conditions which is making them very aware of climate impacts.""Some of them, like California, have enacted strict legislation on cutting emissions, while others such as South Australia, with its exceptional drought, are experiencing severe weather conditions which is making them very aware of climate impacts."
Fifteen states are involved in the first phase, but Mr Howard anticipates membership growing quickly. Carbon trading and exchanging best practice are two of the project's aims.Fifteen states are involved in the first phase, but Mr Howard anticipates membership growing quickly. Carbon trading and exchanging best practice are two of the project's aims.