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UN climate talks in Warsaw bogged down on key details UN climate talks in Warsaw bogged down on key details
(about 3 hours later)
UN talks on climate change taking place in Warsaw have been extended as delegates remain deadlocked on key issues.UN talks on climate change taking place in Warsaw have been extended as delegates remain deadlocked on key issues.
Significant difference between the parties have arisen over finance and cuts in emissions of carbon dioxide.Significant difference between the parties have arisen over finance and cuts in emissions of carbon dioxide.
Developing countries expressed frustration with the "lack of ambition" from richer nations.Developing countries expressed frustration with the "lack of ambition" from richer nations.
Green groups said there was now a significant risk of the talks collapsing.Green groups said there was now a significant risk of the talks collapsing.
As they gathered again after a long night of negotiations in Warsaw, it became clear that major differences had emerged between rich and developing nations. It became clear on Saturday after a long night of negotiations that major differences had emerged between rich and developing nations.
They have been tasked with preparing the way for a new global deal on climate change, to be signed in Paris in 2015.They have been tasked with preparing the way for a new global deal on climate change, to be signed in Paris in 2015.
National controlNational control
The meeting in Warsaw was meant to outline the scope of that agreement, and to indicate when countries would make pledges on cutting their emissions of carbon dioxide.The meeting in Warsaw was meant to outline the scope of that agreement, and to indicate when countries would make pledges on cutting their emissions of carbon dioxide.
But the talks have became stuck as negotiators from developing countries tried to ensure that the UN has a major role in determining how deep the cuts in carbon emissions should be in any new agreement. But the talks have become stuck as negotiators from developing countries tried to ensure that the UN has a major role in determining how deep the cuts in carbon emissions should be in any new agreement.
However, the US, EU and others want to make sure that decisions on cuts remain in national hands.However, the US, EU and others want to make sure that decisions on cuts remain in national hands.
The Indian lead negotiator said there was also too much emphasis on cutting carbon and not enough on helping countries to adapt to climate change. Developed nations say a deal must bind in all countries especially growing economies like India and China.
But after 30 hours of straight negotiations, this part of the text seemed to be on the brink of collapse after a number of objections to language.
After an hour long huddle in the corner of the hall, a compromise was found where the word "contributions" was substituted for "commitments".
It may seem like a trivial detail but it allows the richer countries to continue to claim that a new deal will apply to all, while for India and China it allows them to maintain that their obligations will be very different from the likes of the US and EU.
This was a key moment of compromise, but many others will be required before the work is done in Warsaw. A new deal in Paris is still a very long way away.
Earlier, the Indian lead negotiator said there was also too much emphasis on cutting carbon and not enough on helping countries to adapt to climate change.
Shattered expectations
There is also a big gap between the parties on climate finance.There is also a big gap between the parties on climate finance.
Developed nations have also promised $100bn a year from 2020, but the current text on that lacks specifics.Developed nations have also promised $100bn a year from 2020, but the current text on that lacks specifics.
Delegates from developing countries expressed frustration with the process, saying that right now, it was not moving in the right direction.Delegates from developing countries expressed frustration with the process, saying that right now, it was not moving in the right direction.
We are trying to bury the convention we created 21 years ago, Bangladesh lead negotiator Quamrul Chowdhury told the meeting.We are trying to bury the convention we created 21 years ago, Bangladesh lead negotiator Quamrul Chowdhury told the meeting.
"Our expectations have been shattered.""Our expectations have been shattered."
There was anger and frustration about the so-called loss and damage mechanism as well.There was anger and frustration about the so-called loss and damage mechanism as well.
Developing countries wanted a separate institution that would help them cope with extreme events. The latest text concedes the idea but in the words of some delegates it looked like an empty shell.Developing countries wanted a separate institution that would help them cope with extreme events. The latest text concedes the idea but in the words of some delegates it looked like an empty shell.
With the talks dragging on into Saturday afternoon without agreement, green campaigners warned the process could collapse. With the talks dragging on without agreement, green campaigners warned the process could collapse.
Oxfam's Executive Director, Winnie Byanyima, who was part of a walkout during the week, said that this was now a real possibility.Oxfam's Executive Director, Winnie Byanyima, who was part of a walkout during the week, said that this was now a real possibility.
"The poorest countries have been clear that there are limits to the compromises they can accept. Rich countries have rolled back on past promises and, with some middle income countries, appear to be dodging strong future commitments of climate action," she said."The poorest countries have been clear that there are limits to the compromises they can accept. Rich countries have rolled back on past promises and, with some middle income countries, appear to be dodging strong future commitments of climate action," she said.
"The ministers of the most powerful countries that could change this game do not have the mandate to do so, and there is a very real chance that these talks could collapse," she said."The ministers of the most powerful countries that could change this game do not have the mandate to do so, and there is a very real chance that these talks could collapse," she said.