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Warning as climate deal emerges Warning as climate deal emerges
(about 4 hours later)
A deal appears to be in sight for the final day of the UN climate change talks but there are fears it may not prevent a 3C (5.4F) temperature rise. A deal appears to be in sight for the final day of the UN climate change talks, but there are fears it may not prevent a 3C (5.4F) temperature rise.
Denmark's prime minister spoke of "very fruitful" talks as Copenhagen prepared to receive US President Barack Obama and 118 other world leaders.Denmark's prime minister spoke of "very fruitful" talks as Copenhagen prepared to receive US President Barack Obama and 118 other world leaders.
Both the US and China, the two largest emitters of greenhouse gases, have indicated they may make concessions.Both the US and China, the two largest emitters of greenhouse gases, have indicated they may make concessions.
It is hoped these may help overcome sharp divisions at the two-week talks.It is hoped these may help overcome sharp divisions at the two-week talks.
The proposals on the table - especially from industrialised countries - fall far short of what the world needs Keith Allott WWFThe proposals on the table - especially from industrialised countries - fall far short of what the world needs Keith Allott WWF
China signalled concessions on the monitoring of emission curbs while the US said it would commit money for developing countries.China signalled concessions on the monitoring of emission curbs while the US said it would commit money for developing countries.
Denmark's Lars Lokke Rasmussen called late-night talks with a group of 26 influential world leaders on how to unblock negotiations.Denmark's Lars Lokke Rasmussen called late-night talks with a group of 26 influential world leaders on how to unblock negotiations.
"We discussed how we can make progress and we had a very fruitful, constructive dialogue... for almost two hours," he told reporters."We discussed how we can make progress and we had a very fruitful, constructive dialogue... for almost two hours," he told reporters.
After the leaders left, their aides continued working on a political agreement for them to inspect later.After the leaders left, their aides continued working on a political agreement for them to inspect later.
"We tried to find an umbrella political accord, if you like," said Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt, who also holds the rotating presidency of the European Union. Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt, who also holds the rotating presidency of the European Union, said: "We tried to advance the main points and have asked the 'sherpas' to work on the text through the night so we can discuss them [Friday] morning."
"We tried to advance the main points and have asked the 'sherpas' to work on the text through the night so we can discuss them tomorrow morning."
In another development, President Obama may reach an agreement in principle on nuclear arms reduction with his Russian counterpart, Dmitry Medvedev, when they meet in Copenhagen on Friday, a senior US official said.In another development, President Obama may reach an agreement in principle on nuclear arms reduction with his Russian counterpart, Dmitry Medvedev, when they meet in Copenhagen on Friday, a senior US official said.
Important concessionsImportant concessions
Despite many expressions of concern about projections of climate change, finance has emerged as an issue more likely to make or break a deal than emission pledges, the BBC's Richard Black reports from Copenhagen.Despite many expressions of concern about projections of climate change, finance has emerged as an issue more likely to make or break a deal than emission pledges, the BBC's Richard Black reports from Copenhagen.
COPENHAGEN CLIMATE SUMMIT Delegates from 193 nations are in Copenhagen to negotiate an agreement on curbing greenhouse gas emissions, in order to prevent dangerous climate changeDeveloping nations want rich nations to cut emissions by at least 25% by 2020 - rich nations are reluctant to go so far and want developing countries to curb emissions tooThe US will not accept legally binding emissions cuts unless China does the same. China has been vague on allowing international scrutiny of its emission cutsOngoing disagreement on how funds to mitigate and adapt to climate change will be provided. Poor nations want direct aid, while the West favours schemes like carbon tradingCOPENHAGEN CLIMATE SUMMIT Delegates from 193 nations are in Copenhagen to negotiate an agreement on curbing greenhouse gas emissions, in order to prevent dangerous climate changeDeveloping nations want rich nations to cut emissions by at least 25% by 2020 - rich nations are reluctant to go so far and want developing countries to curb emissions tooThe US will not accept legally binding emissions cuts unless China does the same. China has been vague on allowing international scrutiny of its emission cutsOngoing disagreement on how funds to mitigate and adapt to climate change will be provided. Poor nations want direct aid, while the West favours schemes like carbon trading
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said her administration was prepared to help establish funding of $100bn a year for developing countries if a deal emerged that met US requirements.US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said her administration was prepared to help establish funding of $100bn a year for developing countries if a deal emerged that met US requirements.
The key US demand is "transparency" from China, seen as a must if the US Senate is to pass legislation controlling emissions.The key US demand is "transparency" from China, seen as a must if the US Senate is to pass legislation controlling emissions.
While Beijing has been hostile to this notion, Chinese Vice Foreign Minister He Yafei said China was ready to engage in "dialogue and co-operation that is not intrusive, that does not infringe on China's sovereignty".While Beijing has been hostile to this notion, Chinese Vice Foreign Minister He Yafei said China was ready to engage in "dialogue and co-operation that is not intrusive, that does not infringe on China's sovereignty".
There was no immediate reaction from the US delegation to the Chinese offer but, an Associated Press correspondent reports, it went a long way toward meeting American demands.There was no immediate reaction from the US delegation to the Chinese offer but, an Associated Press correspondent reports, it went a long way toward meeting American demands.
Earlier, Indonesia's President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono called for all states, both developed and developing, to be flexible about verification.Earlier, Indonesia's President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono called for all states, both developed and developing, to be flexible about verification.
He indicated the possibility of setting up an international mechanism for monitoring emission cuts.He indicated the possibility of setting up an international mechanism for monitoring emission cuts.
Emissions gapEmissions gap
The draft declaration is reportedly set to mention a cap of 2C but a document prepared by the UN climate convention secretariat, which was leaked earlier, confirms that current pledges on cutting greenhouse gas emissions are almost certainly not enough to keep the rise in the global average temperature within that level.The draft declaration is reportedly set to mention a cap of 2C but a document prepared by the UN climate convention secretariat, which was leaked earlier, confirms that current pledges on cutting greenhouse gas emissions are almost certainly not enough to keep the rise in the global average temperature within that level.

CLIMATE CHANGE GLOSSARY

Glossary in full

CLIMATE CHANGE GLOSSARY

Glossary in full
The analysis says that to achieve that goal, global emissions should be kept at or below 44 gigatonnes (Gt) of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) in 2020.The analysis says that to achieve that goal, global emissions should be kept at or below 44 gigatonnes (Gt) of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) in 2020.
But if enacted, the current maximum pledges from developed countries would leave emissions 1.9Gt above that figure; minimum pledges would mean missing the target by 4.2Gt.But if enacted, the current maximum pledges from developed countries would leave emissions 1.9Gt above that figure; minimum pledges would mean missing the target by 4.2Gt.
Unless this gap is closed, it says - for example by developed nations raising their current overall offer to a cut of 30% from 1990 levels by 2020 - global emissions will "remain on an unsustainable pathway that could lead to concentrations equal or above 550ppm, with the related temperature rise around 3C".Unless this gap is closed, it says - for example by developed nations raising their current overall offer to a cut of 30% from 1990 levels by 2020 - global emissions will "remain on an unsustainable pathway that could lead to concentrations equal or above 550ppm, with the related temperature rise around 3C".
The analysis was based on a number of recent studies, notably the International Energy Agency's World Energy Outlook.The analysis was based on a number of recent studies, notably the International Energy Agency's World Energy Outlook.
"The stark message for world leaders at Copenhagen is that the proposals on the table - especially from industrialised countries - fall far short of what the world needs," said Keith Allott, head of climate change for WWF in Britain."The stark message for world leaders at Copenhagen is that the proposals on the table - especially from industrialised countries - fall far short of what the world needs," said Keith Allott, head of climate change for WWF in Britain.
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.
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