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Environment ministers from India, South
Africa, Brazil and China have little expectations of striking a
climate deal at an upcoming global conference in Cancun, Mexico.
Speaking at a climate change meeting in Rio de Janeiro, the
ministers pointed to the failure of countries such as the United
States to cut emissions and deliver on promises of financing for
emissions reduction programs.
Vairam Ramesh, Indian Environment Minister]:
"If money is not put on the table, which was the most important
promise made by the developｅｄ countries, then it is unlikely that we
will have an outcome in Cancun. The key to Cancun lies not with the
developing countries, it lies with the developed countries to fulfil
their commitments on financing, which they have undertaken as part
of the Copenhagen deal."
Striking a deal in Cancun also seems unlikely because the U.S.
Senate recently delayed climate change legislation until September.
[Buyelwa Sonjica, South African Environment Minister]:
"By the time we get to Cancun they will not have completed the
legislation. Clearly, we will get less than the legally bindｅｄ
outcome and for us that is a concern. We are very realistic about
it, that we may not ."
In the past, nations like China have called on countries with the
largest economies to fund climate change measures such as caps on
emissions.
More than 100 countries supported a non-binding accord last year in
Copenhagen to limit global warming, but did not spell out how this
should be achieved.
The Kyoto Protocol, which placed carbon emissions caps on nearly 40
countries, expires in 2012 with no new deal in sight.
This year the US Environmental Protection Agency released a report
that says climate change has worsened many environmental indicators
like melting glaciers and heat waves.
The report said warming in the 21st century will surpass the 20th
century.
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