Around 90 environment ministers from around the globe used the official “lay day” at the Copenhagen climate talks to continue attempts to break an impasse between developed and developing nations over the structure of a new global climate deal.
After a dramatic weekend that saw more than 1,000 protestors arrested, the talks will resume on Monday night with the deadlock between rich and poor nations seemingly no closer to being broken.
The two camps are split over a deal that would see developed nations agree to deep cuts to emissions (as much as 25% over the next 10 years) and pay billions of dollars to help poor nations cut emissions and restructure their economies to cope with a low emissions environment.
Developed nations are unhappy with a United Nations proposal that would not force developing nations, including China and India, to make their climate change policies part of an international treaty.
But while poor nations are calling on rich countries such as the United States to take the lead on climate change, conference chairwoman and Danish Climate Change Minister Connie Hedegaard wants China to step up.
Currently, the world’s most populous nation just wants to extend the Koyoto treaty, but most nations believe more must be done.
”The world will look and is looking to China for leadership. Just as the world looks to the US for leadership,” Hedegaard said.
Meanwhile, all participants at the talks realise that time for an agreement is running out, with world leaders including US President Barack Obama and Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd arriving later this week before the talks end on Friday.
Coming out of yesterday’s closed talks, British Energy Minister Ed Miliband said the atmosphere had been positive but the differences remain.
“Everyone realises the urgency of what we are undertaking but we need to move faster,” he told journalists. “We need to overcome the major issues like reducing emissions, and the finance that is required and the transparency of commitment.”
James was the editor and publisher of SmartCompany and LeadingCompany for five years. He is now the Australian Financial Review‘s companies & markets editor, and a former BRW editor.
Comments