RASMUSSEN'S WARNING: The Prime Minister of Denmark says that postponing a treaty may be the 'only' option at Copenhagen.
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COPENHAGEN -- Denmark's prime minister, the host of next month's U.N. climate change conference, has proposed pushing back the deadline for binding greenhouse gas emission targets until next year in hopes of salvaging a political agreement at the upcoming talks.
Speaking in Singapore at the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit yesterday, Lars Løkke Rasmussen proposed that next month's talks result in a political declaration on emission cuts and financing while leaving a legally binding treaty for later.
"I envisage a political text framing the agreement, say, five to eight pages," the Danish premier said, according to a transcript of his speech provided to E&E. "Not a political declaration with niceties, but precise language of a comprehensive political agreement covering all aspects of the Bali mandates: commitment of developed countries to reductions and of developing countries to actions; strong provisions on adaptation, finance and technology, including upfront finance for early action.
"Beneath that, we will have underlying annexes outlining the specific commitments of individual countries. These will be negotiated, and they will be subject to a transparent system of measurement, reporting and verification."
Rasmussen warned that this approach was more than just one of many possible options. "It may well be the only one," he said.
"If we focus on what we can agree, a strong, comprehensive and global agreement is within reach," Rasmussen said. "Given the time factor and the situation of individual countries, we must in the coming weeks focus on what is possible and not let ourselves be distracted by what is not possible."
About 40 environment ministers are meeting in Copenhagen today and tomorrow behind closed doors to try to hammer out the basis of a political deal to fight global warming for next month's conference.
The United States, China, India, the European Union and others are still arguing about who should cut carbon dioxide emissions by how much and who should pay for it. The United Nations says developed nations need to cut emissions by between 25 and 40 percent below 1990 levels by 2020 to avoid serious consequences of global warming.
India's environment minister, Jairam Ramesh, complained recently in a speech here that rich countries have only offered between 10 and 15 percent so far. A likely scenario may be to agree on a political declaration in Copenhagen next month and leave the binding details for a conference scheduled for Mexico in December 2010, Danish government officials said.
"I believe a Copenhagen agreement could be constructed to serve the dual purpose of providing for continued negotiations on a legal agreement and for immediate action," Rasmussen said in his speech. "The Copenhagen agreement should be political by nature, yet precise on specific commitments and binding on countries committing to reach certain targets and to undertake certain actions or provide agreed finance."
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8 Comments
Add CommentBy Obama signing a Global Carbon Climate Tax Agreement in Copenhagen, the USA has nothing to benefit or gain but only to lose by higher taxes with funds going to other counties. Also, there is no way China, India and Russia are going to sign a global carbon climate tax treaty and pay the same taxes as each middle class American. We already have clean air (much cleaner than in previous years, especially when home used coal furnaces and when the USA was an industrial country....do you remember!) and climate temperature changes are common in history of our beloved and God given earth....Scientist have proven these trends and Climate Experts (other than UN Scientists and Al Gore who won't give up meat, mansion homes, and private jets.....crazy and RICH hypocrites) have also proven that a carbon tax against USA and other hard working countries will have no or nominal affect on earth temperature changes. How much more do you, the average two working family, want to be taxed? That's exactly what's going to happen, and nothing more! We're all already doing our part by recycling, using ethanol additive gasoline, not burning trash and buying hybrid/low emission cars. I love our God given earth as much as anybody but no one can convince me different that the Copenhagen Global Carbon Climate Tax Agreement is political and will only hurt the USA and diminish our personal American rights (taxes without representation), as well as our quality of living thru our wallets and personal savings.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisBy Obama signing a Global Carbon Climate Tax Agreement in Copenhagen, the USA has nothing to benefit or gain but only to lose by higher taxes with funds going to other counties. Also, there is no way China, India and Russia are going to sign a global carbon climate tax treaty and pay the same taxes as each middle class American. We already have clean air (much cleaner than in previous years, especially when home used coal furnaces and when the USA was an industrial country....do you remember!) and climate temperature changes are common in history of our beloved and God given earth....Scientist have proven these trends and Climate Experts (other than UN Scientists and Al Gore who won't give up meat, mansion homes, and private jets.....crazy and RICH hypocrites) have also proven that a carbon tax against USA and other hard working countries will have no or nominal affect on earth temperature changes. How much more do you, the average two working family, want to be taxed? That's exactly what's going to happen, and nothing more! We're all already doing our part by recycling, using ethanol additive gasoline, not burning trash and buying hybrid/low emission cars. I love our God given earth as much as anybody but no one can convince me different that the Copenhagen Global Carbon Climate Tax Agreement is political and will only hurt the USA and diminish our personal American rights (taxes without representation), as well as our quality of living thru our wallets and personal savings.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisProtestantism arose out of peoples disgust at the system of indulgences and pardons sold to the rich and powerful. Most environmentalists are also disgusted with the proposals to extend 'Permits to Pollute' to companies.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisCopenhagen would do well to introduce carbon tax for all sources of greenhouse gases, and an energy tax to promote energy efficiency. This would announce the beginnings of a new deal for the planet.
Thank goodness some sanity is prevailing. A poll on Kyoto had US senators 99-0 against it (there was one deceased senator). Any of this Copengagen farce Oama would buy into would have zero....zip...nada...zilch chance of pass Congress unless there were absolute spelled out details with absolute verification processes that impacted all countries. Won't happen....the world doesn't need corrupt bureaucrats appointed by tinpot dictators levying fines and taxes.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisWhat a lame albeit expected excuse!
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisWorld leaders are all politically oriented. How many of them do really comprehend the severity of the climate change and its disastrous impact on human lives if no appropriate and concerted action taken immediately?
Sadly, yet most probably, they only think of their own political future and how to hang on to power as long as possible. Is that not pathetic?
Who, in their right mind, would sign an agreement that has already been gamed?
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisOh, yes, those who stand to grow rich from it. That explains who's supporting it.
This announcement brought to you by Greedpiece; We're Greedy and we want our Piece!
Agree with raptordigits. A treaty would result in tinpot dictators levying fines and taxes. The "science" quoted in this article is challenged by equally scientific counter argument. This is NOT about climate control - or concern for the planet - it is about consolidation of political power. Radical environmentalism is a tool of socialism - a discredited failure of a political system.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisGlobal warming HOGWASH!! Anyone with a bit of brain knows what that G20 lot are up to. Plenty on the net about the scientists convulging false data to convince the minions that we are to blame for changes in the global tempretures, RUBBISH!! Wake up people these guys are about to agree to sell your country to the New Global Government with its dictatorship laws. They have allready plotted to ruin it with a "financial crash", it's all a FIX!!
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisThe only thing we can all do is read the King James Bible and get right with God before it's too late and you get left behind. The Earth is God's and all that is in it He is still on the throne and everything is in His control. His plans are for Jesus to rule and reign for 1000 years on a perfect planet so as the bible says, worry for nothing. After that we will have eternal life, a promise for those who follow Jesus Christ. Repent you sinners who can not obey all the 10 commandments, that's all of us folks, all have sinned against God and judgement is comming. Repent, believe in Jesus and be baptised.