This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/sci/tech/8417541.stm

The article has changed 18 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 10 Version 11
Slow progress at Copenhagen talks Slow progress at Copenhagen talks
(10 minutes later)
Talks remain deadlocked at the climate summit in Copenhagen with just two days left to seal a global emissions pact.Talks remain deadlocked at the climate summit in Copenhagen with just two days left to seal a global emissions pact.
Developed and developing nations remain at odds over who should cut emissions, how deep the cuts should be, and how much aid should go to poor countries.Developed and developing nations remain at odds over who should cut emissions, how deep the cuts should be, and how much aid should go to poor countries.
But there has been some progress - wealthy nations pledged new funds to bankroll the war on global warming.But there has been some progress - wealthy nations pledged new funds to bankroll the war on global warming.
At least 130 world leaders are due to join the talks on Thursday, hoping to sign a new climate pact on Friday.At least 130 world leaders are due to join the talks on Thursday, hoping to sign a new climate pact on Friday.
There is widespread scepticism that a deal can be reached.There is widespread scepticism that a deal can be reached.
However, German Chancellor Angela Merkel has said the news from Copenhagen was "not good" and called US pledges to cut carbon emissions insufficient.However, German Chancellor Angela Merkel has said the news from Copenhagen was "not good" and called US pledges to cut carbon emissions insufficient.
An unnamed Danish official said hopes for a deal were slim because of the stalled talks.An unnamed Danish official said hopes for a deal were slim because of the stalled talks.
Addressing the summit on Thursday, Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd said he feared "a triumph of form over substance" at the outcome of the UN climate summit.Addressing the summit on Thursday, Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd said he feared "a triumph of form over substance" at the outcome of the UN climate summit.
But Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao, who arrived in the Danish capital on Wednesday evening, said his attendance showed the importance China attached to a deal. In his speech, UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown urged the summit to "summon up the greatest level of ambition".
"I hope that the summit will yield a fair, reasonable, balanced and achievable result through the joint efforts of all parties," Mr Wen said in an official statement. "The success of our endeavours depends on us forging a new alliance," he told delegates.

COPENHAGEN LATEST

  • Australia's Kevin Rudd, Indonesia's Susilo Yudhoyono, France's Nicolas Sarkozy and Germany's Angela Merkel and UK's Gordon Brown among world leaders due to address the conference on Thursday
  • Japan offers $5bn a year to poor nations if a deal is reached
  • Australia, France, Japan, Norway, the UK and US collectively commit $3.5bn over three years to combating deforestation
Updated: 08:07 GMT, 17 December

COPENHAGEN LATEST

  • Australia's Kevin Rudd, Indonesia's Susilo Yudhoyono, France's Nicolas Sarkozy and Germany's Angela Merkel and UK's Gordon Brown among world leaders due to address the conference on Thursday
  • Japan offers $5bn a year to poor nations if a deal is reached
  • Australia, France, Japan, Norway, the UK and US collectively commit $3.5bn over three years to combating deforestation
Updated: 08:07 GMT, 17 December
Presenting the Mexican President Felipe Calderon with an award for international leadership on the environment, UK Prime Minister Brown commented: "There are turning points where history is expected to turn but fails to turn. I want this conference to be a turning point where history does turn."
Mr Brown said it would be possible to reach an agreement if delegates were "inspired by conscience and brought together by a desire for common action".
Speakers set to address the summit on Thursday include Ms Merkel, Mr Brown, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula de Silva and Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.Speakers set to address the summit on Thursday include Ms Merkel, Mr Brown, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula de Silva and Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
US President Barack Obama is due to attend the final day of the meeting on Friday, when world leaders will try to lay out a strategy to deal with climate change after the end of 2012, when obligations run out under the landmark Kyoto Protocol.US President Barack Obama is due to attend the final day of the meeting on Friday, when world leaders will try to lay out a strategy to deal with climate change after the end of 2012, when obligations run out under the landmark Kyoto Protocol.
'Dangerous point''Dangerous point'
Developing countries, led by China, accused host Denmark of a lack of transparency by suggesting language for the agreement without full consultation by all sides on the 194-nation summit.Developing countries, led by China, accused host Denmark of a lack of transparency by suggesting language for the agreement without full consultation by all sides on the 194-nation summit.
And China told participants that it saw no chance of reaching an operational accord this week, an unnamed official told Reuters news agency.And China told participants that it saw no chance of reaching an operational accord this week, an unnamed official told Reuters news agency.
Danish Prime Minister Lars Loekke Rasmussen has taken charge of the Wednesday-Friday segment involving heads of state and government.Danish Prime Minister Lars Loekke Rasmussen has taken charge of the Wednesday-Friday segment involving heads of state and government.
Denmark said it was trying to simplify several complex draft negotiating texts to help the world leaders to agree on a deal.Denmark said it was trying to simplify several complex draft negotiating texts to help the world leaders to agree on a deal.

CLIMATE CHANGE GLOSSARY

Glossary in full

CLIMATE CHANGE GLOSSARY

Glossary in full
But BBC environment correspondent Roger Harrabin, in Copenhagen, says the Danish hosts do not appear to have worked out how the political leaders will take part in the formal UN negotiating process.But BBC environment correspondent Roger Harrabin, in Copenhagen, says the Danish hosts do not appear to have worked out how the political leaders will take part in the formal UN negotiating process.
That process itself has been in disarray, our correspondent says, with nations refusing to agree with the Danish prime minister's demands that they should negotiate on a slimmed down text.That process itself has been in disarray, our correspondent says, with nations refusing to agree with the Danish prime minister's demands that they should negotiate on a slimmed down text.
Containing emissions to a level associated with a temperature rise of no more than 2C is the stated aim of the big nations here.Containing emissions to a level associated with a temperature rise of no more than 2C is the stated aim of the big nations here.
As things are going they will miss that target by a considerable margin, our correspondent says.As things are going they will miss that target by a considerable margin, our correspondent says.
The poorest and most vulnerable nations say emissions should be contained to a level associated with a temperature rise of 1 or 1.5C.The poorest and most vulnerable nations say emissions should be contained to a level associated with a temperature rise of 1 or 1.5C.
They have no chance of getting their way, our correspondent adds.They have no chance of getting their way, our correspondent adds.
'Knife edge''Knife edge'
After a day of long delays and finger-pointing on Wednesday, Britain's Energy and Climate Change Secretary, Ed Milliband, said the prospects for reaching a deal were on a knife-edge.After a day of long delays and finger-pointing on Wednesday, Britain's Energy and Climate Change Secretary, Ed Milliband, said the prospects for reaching a deal were on a knife-edge.
"People can kill this process, kill the agreement with process argument," Mr Miliband said, warning the talks were at a "very dangerous point"."People can kill this process, kill the agreement with process argument," Mr Miliband said, warning the talks were at a "very dangerous point".
But BBC environment correspondent Richard Black says that for developing countries, the ongoing wrangles about how negotiations should proceed is not a matter of process but of substance.
They say they have been negotiating on and off for nine months, and want to see that process through to its conclusion.
The president of the European Commission, Jose Manuel Barroso, also said he was disappointed with the slow pace of negotiations, whilst Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez said: "If the climate was a bank, a capitalist bank, [the West] would have saved it by now."The president of the European Commission, Jose Manuel Barroso, also said he was disappointed with the slow pace of negotiations, whilst Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez said: "If the climate was a bank, a capitalist bank, [the West] would have saved it by now."
On a more promising note, Japan promised poorer nations $15bn (£9bn) over three years if a deal is made.On a more promising note, Japan promised poorer nations $15bn (£9bn) over three years if a deal is made.
The amount - payable from 2010-2012 - adds to the $10.6bn (£6.5bn) commitment over three years made by EU leaders at their summit last week.The amount - payable from 2010-2012 - adds to the $10.6bn (£6.5bn) commitment over three years made by EU leaders at their summit last week.
Another pledge came from a six-member group - Australia, France, Japan, Norway, the UK and US - which will collectively commit $3.5bn over three years to combat deforestation.Another pledge came from a six-member group - Australia, France, Japan, Norway, the UK and US - which will collectively commit $3.5bn over three years to combat deforestation.
Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi, speaking on behalf of the African Union, also announced dramatically reduced expectations for climate aid from rich nations.Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi, speaking on behalf of the African Union, also announced dramatically reduced expectations for climate aid from rich nations.
Tensions also flared outside the summit, where police used clubs and tear gas to stop some 2,500 activists who tried to march on the tightly-guarded Bella Center.Tensions also flared outside the summit, where police used clubs and tear gas to stop some 2,500 activists who tried to march on the tightly-guarded Bella Center.
Police detained some 260 protesters during the clashes, which led to injuries on both sides.Police detained some 260 protesters during the clashes, which led to injuries on both sides.
Are you in Copenhagen? Are you taking part in the demonstrations or are you a delegate at the talks? What is the atmosphere like? Send us your comments using the form below.Are you in Copenhagen? Are you taking part in the demonstrations or are you a delegate at the talks? What is the atmosphere like? Send us your comments using the form below.
The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & ConditionsThe BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions