Weak on figures and targets, developing nations say in response to latest draft Copenhagen textThe draft agreement handed to 28 world leaders last night and worked on by ministers until 5am, was this morning being studied by developing countries who were not included in the group of nations known as "the circle of commitment".Their initial reaction was that it was not only weak on figures and targets, but that it could lead to the collapse of the Kyoto treaty, the only global legal instrument requiring rich countries to cut emissions.The Kyoto treaty has been under attack from rich countries for many months by nations wanting a single treaty at Copenhagen, but this has been strongly resisted by the majority of developing countries. This running battle has dogged the talks and delayed negotiations in many areas.One diplomat said: "Language in the text includes the phrases 'one or more legal instruments' – this is a prelude to the collapse of the twin track system of negotiating. If they had wanted to save the Kyoto treaty it would have needed two agreements and two outcomes."Developing countries were also bitterly disappointed that in references to limiting future temperature rises, it used the non-binding phrase "ought not exceed 2C", rather than "less than".More than 100 countries have committed themselves to seeking emissions cuts that would hold temperatures to 1.5C. Last night, a leaked paper from the UN secretariat, suggested that the offers made by countries so far would lead to a 3C rise. "The danger is that this 2C figure becomes the base of all future negotiations," said a delegate who asked to remain anonymous.Countries believed to have been invited to work on the draft include Colombia, Indonesia, Ethiopia, UK, Maldives, Grenada, Lesotho, Algeria, Bangladesh, India, China, South Africa, Mexico and South Korea.Other major reservations by poor countries who were not invited to work on the draft included:• Reference to any money raised to ...

less than 260 day(s) - Friday December,18 2009 @ 01:36 PM
More on Guardian.co.uk