This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-18507602#sa-ns_mchannel=rss&ns_source=PublicRSS20-sa

The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Rio+20: Agreement reached, say diplomats Rio+20: Agreement reached, say diplomats
(40 minutes later)
By Richard Black Environment correspondent, BBC News, Rio de JaneiroBy Richard Black Environment correspondent, BBC News, Rio de Janeiro
Negotiators have reached agreement on a text that will be submitted for approval to world leaders when they meet for the Rio summit this week. Negotiators have agreed a text to be approved by world leaders meeting this week in Rio to consider the worsening state of the global environment.
The Rio+20 meeting comes 20 years after the Earth Summit, also held in the Brazilian city. The Rio+20 gathering comes 20 years after the Earth Summit, also held in the Brazilian city.
It was called with the aim of putting humanity on a more sustainable pathway, alleviating poverty while preserving the environment. It was called with the aim of putting humanity on a more sustainable pathway, including alleviating poverty.
Sources say discussions have sparked heated debate on a number of issues. Sources say discussions on the text have sparked heated debate on a number of issues.
The text calls for "urgent action" on unsustainable production and consumption, but it gives no detail, or a timetable, on how this can be achieved, and no clear direction as to how to green the world economy. The text calls for "urgent action" on unsustainable production and consumption, but it gives no detail, or a timetable, on how this can be achieved, and no clear direction as to how the world economy can be put on a greener path.
It does however reaffirm the commitments states have made to phasing out "harmful and inefficient" fossil fuel subsidies. It does however reaffirm many past commitments, such as phasing out "harmful and inefficient" fossil fuel subsidies.
Environmental groups were quick off the mark to criticise the text. Friends of the Earth's director of policy and campaigns, Craig Bennett, in Rio, said: "This damp squib of a draft negotiating text makes it clear the Rio talks lack the firepower needed to solve the global emergency we're facing. Environmental groups have been quick off the mark to criticise the text which they regard as lacking any meaningful substance.
Friends of the Earth's director of policy and campaigns, Craig Bennett, in Rio, said: "This damp squib of a draft negotiating text makes it clear the Rio talks lack the firepower needed to solve the global emergency we're facing.
"Developed countries have repeatedly failed to live safely within our planet's limits - now they must wake up to the fact that until we fix our broken economic system we're just papering over the ever-widening cracks.""Developed countries have repeatedly failed to live safely within our planet's limits - now they must wake up to the fact that until we fix our broken economic system we're just papering over the ever-widening cracks."
More than 100 world leaders are expected in Rio from Wednesday to attend the summit.More than 100 world leaders are expected in Rio from Wednesday to attend the summit.
It had been called to address the worsening state of the global environment. They include new French President Francois Hollande, but not US President Barack Obama, or British Prime Minister David Cameron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who are all sending ministers in their places.
previous slide next slide previous slide next slide
Follow Richard on TwitterFollow Richard on Twitter