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Obama's warning on climate deal Obama's warning on climate deal
(9 minutes later)
US President Barack Obama has warned world leaders that time is running out to strike a deal on the final day of the UN climate summit in Copenhagen.US President Barack Obama has warned world leaders that time is running out to strike a deal on the final day of the UN climate summit in Copenhagen.
President Obama told delegates that the international community's ability to take collective action was in doubt.President Obama told delegates that the international community's ability to take collective action was in doubt.
But neither the US, the EU or China offered anything new as fears grew that a deal may be slipping away.But neither the US, the EU or China offered anything new as fears grew that a deal may be slipping away.
A draft political agreement drawn up by a small group of countries was rejected during overnight discussions.A draft political agreement drawn up by a small group of countries was rejected during overnight discussions.
And the EU did not raise its offer on cutting emissions from 20% to 30%, as some observers had anticipated.
Addressing the summit on Friday, President Obama said: "While the science of climate change is not in doubt, I think our ability to take collective action is in doubt right now, and it hangs in the balance."Addressing the summit on Friday, President Obama said: "While the science of climate change is not in doubt, I think our ability to take collective action is in doubt right now, and it hangs in the balance."
DECLARATION DRAFTED BY US, UK AND AUSTRALIA Declaration in full [4 Mb] Most computers will open this document automatically, but you may need Adobe Reader Download the reader hereDECLARATION DRAFTED BY US, UK AND AUSTRALIA Declaration in full [4 Mb] Most computers will open this document automatically, but you may need Adobe Reader Download the reader here
He said he had come to Copenhagen "not to talk, but to act".He said he had come to Copenhagen "not to talk, but to act".
Unchecked, he said, climate change would pose "unacceptable risks" to international security, the world economy and the planet.Unchecked, he said, climate change would pose "unacceptable risks" to international security, the world economy and the planet.
Responding to the speech, Bolivia's President Evo Morales commented: "President Obama said it was time to act. And if we are to act, then I have to ask you - starting from now, please fulfil the Kyoto Protocol."
China's Premier Wen Jiabao told delegates: "To meet the climate change challenge, the international community must strengthen confidence, build consensus, make vigorous efforts and enhance co-operation."China's Premier Wen Jiabao told delegates: "To meet the climate change challenge, the international community must strengthen confidence, build consensus, make vigorous efforts and enhance co-operation."
He added that in addressing climate change, the international community must not "turn a blind eye to historical responsibilities, per capita emissions and different levels of development".He added that in addressing climate change, the international community must not "turn a blind eye to historical responsibilities, per capita emissions and different levels of development".

COPENHAGEN LATEST

  • US President Barack Obama and Chinese PM Wen Jiabao are said to take a "step forward" during a long bilateral meeting
  • "The time for talk is over," Barack Obama says in summit speech
  • The verdict of Bolivian President Evo Morales: "President Obama said it was time to act, and if we are to act, then I have to ask you - starting from now, please fulfil the Kyoto Protocol"
  • The EU decides not to increase its pledge of a 20% cut in emissions by 2020 to 30%
Updated: 13:50 GMT, 18 December

COPENHAGEN LATEST

  • US President Barack Obama and Chinese PM Wen Jiabao are said to take a "step forward" during a long bilateral meeting
  • "The time for talk is over," Barack Obama says in summit speech
  • The verdict of Bolivian President Evo Morales: "President Obama said it was time to act, and if we are to act, then I have to ask you - starting from now, please fulfil the Kyoto Protocol"
  • The EU decides not to increase its pledge of a 20% cut in emissions by 2020 to 30%
Updated: 13:50 GMT, 18 December
After their speeches, President Obama and the Chinese Premier met for nearly an hour, a development the White House described as a "step forward".After their speeches, President Obama and the Chinese Premier met for nearly an hour, a development the White House described as a "step forward".
Correspondents say it is the US and China - the world's two largest carbon emitters - that hold the key to striking an agreement. China has been criticised during the summit for not offering stronger carbon emissions targets and for resisting international monitoring of its emissions controls.Correspondents say it is the US and China - the world's two largest carbon emitters - that hold the key to striking an agreement. China has been criticised during the summit for not offering stronger carbon emissions targets and for resisting international monitoring of its emissions controls.
The US has received criticism for making its climate aid offer so late in the talks.The US has received criticism for making its climate aid offer so late in the talks.
On Thursday, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said the US was prepared to help establish funding of $100bn a year for developing countries if a deal emerged that met US requirements.On Thursday, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said the US 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.
China's 'special difficulty' on climateChina's 'special difficulty' on climate
Finance has emerged as an issue more likely to make or break a deal than emissions pledges, the BBC's Richard Black reports from Copenhagen.
Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva received rousing applause for his speech. He told delegates: "We, the developing countries... when we think in money, we should not think that someone is paying us a favour.
"We should not think that someone is giving something that we are begging for, because the money that would be put on the table is the payment for greenhouse emissions released over two centuries by those countries that industrialised themselves first."
As well as the leaders' session, talks are scheduled on texts that sources say remain full of fundamental divisions.As well as the leaders' session, talks are scheduled on texts that sources say remain full of fundamental divisions.
One developing country negotiator told BBC News that the rejected draft political accord had arrived "as if from God".One developing country negotiator told BBC News that the rejected draft political accord had arrived "as if from God".
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 farThe US insists China curbs its emissions, and allows international verificationPoor nations want climate aid to come largely from public finances, while the West favours schemes like carbon trading Q&A: Copenhagen summit
"It is very confusing, and developing countries are very disappointed because they've invested a lot of time in the documents they're negotiating here," said Martin Khor, executive director of the South Centre, a Geneva-based think-tank."It is very confusing, and developing countries are very disappointed because they've invested a lot of time in the documents they're negotiating here," said Martin Khor, executive director of the South Centre, a Geneva-based think-tank.
"People feel their time has been wasted," he told BBC News."People feel their time has been wasted," he told BBC News.
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 farThe US insists China curbs its emissions, and allows international verificationPoor nations want climate aid to come largely from public finances, while the West favours schemes like carbon trading Q&A: Copenhagen summit
Of the sticking points over the draft agreement, one appears to have been the absence of a commitment to a legally binding treaty, which many developing countries have been insisting on.Of the sticking points over the draft agreement, one appears to have been the absence of a commitment to a legally binding treaty, which many developing countries have been insisting on.
Bolivia's President Evo Morales said: "President Obama said it was time to act. And if we are to act, then I have to ask you - starting from now, please fulfil the Kyoto Protocol". Many observers had expected - and hoped - that the EU would raise its targets for cutting emissions from 20% to 30% by 2020 (from 1990 levels).
President Lula added: "I would love to leave Copenhagen with the most perfect document in the world... I'm not sure if some angel or wise man will come down to this plenary and put in our minds the intelligence that we lacked up until now. I don't know if that's going to be possible." The bloc decided last year that it would adopt the higher target if there was a comprehensive global agreement on climate change here.
BBC environment correspondent Richard Black said this was a clear indication that things are not proceeding towards the kind of deal that the EU had wanted.
But finance has emerged as an issue more likely to make or break a deal than emissions pledges.
Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva received rousing applause for his speech. He told delegates: "We, the developing countries... when we think in money, we should not think that someone is paying us a favour.

CLIMATE CHANGE GLOSSARY

Glossary in full

CLIMATE CHANGE GLOSSARY

Glossary in full
"We should not think that someone is giving something that we are begging for, because the money that would be put on the table is the payment for greenhouse emissions released over two centuries by those countries that industrialised themselves first."
President Lula added: "I would love to leave Copenhagen with the most perfect document in the world... I'm not sure if some angel or wise man will come down to this plenary and put in our minds the intelligence that we lacked up until now. I don't know if that's going to be possible."
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.
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.


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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