Peru climate change talks slowed by clashes of rich and poor nations
Peru climate change talks slowed by clashes of rich and poor nations
Date December 8, 2014 - 5:43AM
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Activists and indigenous people make a formation, reading "peoples rights, living forests", to mark climate talks in Peru.
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International climate talks in Lima, Peru, are entering their final week, with few hints of whether a newfound optimism that marked the start of negotiations will translate into an agreement that would rein in climate change.
Convened by the United Nations, the talks aim to craft the framework for an international accord to curtail heat-trapping emissions and adapt to changes already occurring on the planet. The final agreement is due to be signed in Paris next December.
Despite more than 20 years of discussions about what nations must do to contend with climate change, the world's emissions of carbon dioxide and other heat-trapping gases are higher than ever, as negotiations have continued to snag on the contradictory priorities of different countries.
The latest round in the discussions began last week with fresh momentum, in large part thanks to steps the U.S. took last month, including a major deal with China to curb emissions and a $US3 billion ($3.6 billion) commitment to help developing nations fight climate change.
Yet over the days since the Lima conference began Dec. 1, clashes have flared between developed and developing countries over issues such as whether emissions cuts should be mandatory and how much money rich countries should provide to help poor nations cope with damage from climate change.
More:
http://www.watoday.com.au/environment/climate-change/peru-climate-change-talks-slowed-by-clashes-of-rich-and-poor-nations-20141207-122afm.html