Climate talks halted as poor countries take on rich over emissions

Talks at the United Nations climate summit were suddenly suspended when the world’s poorest countries complained that rich nations are abandoning the pact that has steered climate policy for more than a decade.The group of developing nations, known as the G-77, accused the United States and other industrialized countries of sidelining talks on more emission cuts under the Kyoto Protocol, the climate agreement currently in effect. As news spread around the conference centre in Copenhagen, about 200 activists joined in with chants of "We stand with Africa – Kyoto targets now.” What will happen now is uncertain, though informal talks are likely.

Poor countries vulnerable to climate change have insisted that rich nations must commit to emission cuts after 2012 under the Kyoto Protocol. But the EU and the developed world are instead pushing the idea of a new agreement. While Kyoto exempts emerging economies from binding cuts in greenhouse gas emissions, the US and other rich nations want a new climate agreement to apply to major developing nations. The G-77 countries are against that approach, saying such a pact could mean industrialized countries would have to cut emissions less than they would under Kyoto."The killing of the Kyoto Protocol, I can say, will mean the killing of Africa," said Mama Konaté, a member of Mali's delegation. "Before accepting that, we should all die first."

Last week, the first week of the two –week talks the Pacific island nation of Tuvalu got talks suspended by insisting that plans to alter the UN climate convention and Kyoto Protocol be debated in full. Kim Carstensen, director of the global climate initiative with environment group, World Wildlife Fund, said that much more action was needed on the Kyoto Protocol negotiations. "The point is being made very loud that African countries and the wider G77 bloc will not accept non-action on the Kyoto Protocol, and they're really afraid that a deal has been stitched up behind their backs," he told BBC News.

While understanding the G77 position, he said halting talks could affect progress towards a deal. "We're losing time, and that's a serious matter, because every minute we lose on one issue the chances of getting to the bottom of the next issue diminish." UN negotiations on a new climate deal entered a second week this morning as pressure mounted on world leaders to come up with a political agreement that heads of state and government can sign up to. Minister for the Environment John Gormley, who flew in last night to represent Ireland in advance of the arrival of Taoiseach Brian Cowen in Copenhagen on Thursday, said political leaders “would be judged by future generations on the outcome of the meeting.”

By Hayley Jarvis for SOS Children