Hurdles to new climate change pact

Published: Nov. 29, 2009 at 7:27 AM

Hazy skies block the sun as traffic on a major city ring road slows to a crawl in Beijing on July 8, 2009. China remains the world's top emitter of greenhouse gases blamed for global climate change, although its per capita emissions are still far less than in the United States. Both countries are major players in United Nations' talks aimed at reaching a new climate pact by the end of the year in Copenhagen.

(UPI Photo/Stephen S
WASHINGTON, Nov. 29 (UPI) -- Money and politics remain big obstacles to setting firm emission targets for a legally binding treaty to replace the Kyoto agreement, U.S. authorities said.

Emission targets proposed by China and the United States -- the world's two biggest greenhouse-gas emitters -- have boosted prospects for a deal at the summit in Copenhagen, Denmark, next month, negotiators said.

Wealthier countries, however, remain likely to balk at giving money to poorer countries to help curb climate change, The Washington Post reported Sunday.

Some members of the U.S. Congress also have said they cannot endorse an international treaty unless there are ways to assess the emission commitments of China and other countries who plan efficiency targets rather than absolute cuts, the Post reported.

Even under a best-cast scenario, the summit in Copenhagen is not going to solve the problem of climate change, said Keya Chatterjee of the World Wildlife Fund.

"But it is a deal that's going to create a foundation and an international architecture for resolving this issue over time," Chatterjee said.

http://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2009/11/ ... 259497669/