Countries reach 'loose' understanding at global climate change talks

COPENHAGEN, Dec. 19 (Yonhap) -- Countries at the United Nations Climate Change
Conference in Copenhagen have effectively reached a non-binding deal that can
facilitate cuts in greenhouse gases cited for global warming, sources said
Saturday.

The provisional understanding ironed out in last minute negotiations brokered by
UN General-Secretary Ban Ki-moon, calls on both developed and developing
countries to strive for meaningful reductions in greenhouse emission after the
current Kyoto Protocol expires in 2012.
Details have not been officially released, but a draft proposal that reached the
media called on developed economies to cut their emissions by at least 50 percent
in 2050 compared to 1990. No shorter term target of cuts that can be made by 2020
have been released.
Developed countries led by United States and members of the European Union could
also be obliged to provide US$30 billion in the 2010-2013 period to help poor
countries cope with climate change, while setting up a $100 billion aid fund by
2020.
The deal, tentatively called the Copenhagen Accord and agreed to by leaders from
the United States and China, also urged developing economies to voluntarily
engage in greenhouse gas reduction programs that can be verified through
internationally established rules.
Unwillingness by countries like China to allow outside inspection of compliance
to such rules has been a major factor behind the lack of progress in the two-week
talks.
A source close to the talks, meanwhile, claimed the United States and China,
which account for roughly 40 percent of all greenhouse gas emissions, will make
public their short-term reduction plans next month, along with India, South
Africa and Brazil.
South Korean officials at the talks said that the understanding reached may be
disappointing to some, but it could allow talks to move forward instead of
stalling.
They said that more time may be needed to make the accord legally binding, with
governments being asked to seal a formal and detailed agreement in 2010.
yonngong@yna.co.kr
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