Talks have continued well past the official close of business on the final day of a key UN climate summit in Peru aimed at advancing a new global treaty. The negotiators in the capital, Lima, are tasked with preparing a text to serve as the basis for a new compact to be signed in Paris next year. But long-running divisions between rich and poor continue to hamper progress. US Secretary of State John Kerry has warned that the world is still on a course leading to tragedy. He said a deal was not an option - an urgent necessity. Negotiators have been meeting in Lima for almost two weeks to prepare the elements of the new treaty. Red lines A new text has been produced by the chairman of the talks in an effort to get a decision. But environmental groups say that it is far too weak and threatens to leave many issues unresolved. Lima climate talks - Conference runs from 1 to 12 December, attended by 195 countries - Negotiations aim to advance the outline text of an agreement on climate change, to be finalised in Paris by the end of 2015 - Progress on approving the text has been slow - Countries are divided over whether developing countries should take on obligations to cut emissions - The talks come amid some of the hottest global average temperatures ever on record. Grey line In his speech, Mr Kerry said no country should have a free pass. I know this is difficult for developing nations. We have to remember that today more than half of emissions are coming from developing nations, so it is imperative that they act too. But this approach is being resisted by a number of countries, including China and many others, who want to adhere to the idea of common but differentiated responsibilities. Some countries are suspicious that the text being developed here in Lima is an attempt to get round the concept of differentiation, which is embedded in the 1992 UN framework convention on climate change. The issue has become critical as the chairs of the talks introduced a new draft text that many felt watered down the original commitment. A large group of developing nations known as the G77 objected. This whole exercise is not meant to rewrite the convention, this is a firm basic position of the G77, said Antonio Marcondes, Brazils representative at the talks. Read more at; bbc/news/science-environment-30443919
Posted on: Sat, 13 Dec 2014 07:04:07 +0000
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