Postkyoto Climate Talks May Last until 2010
13.10.2006 - Other
Talks on extending a U.N.-led fight against global warming beyond 2012 may last until 2010 to allow a wider U.S. role after President George W. Bush steps down, a U.N. expert said on Wednesday. "We need a deal that includes Kyoto and includes the United States," the U.N. expert told Reuters during a conference in Oslo on capturing carbon dioxide emissions.
The United States is the main source of greenhouse gas emissions, mainly from fossil fuels burned in power plants, factories and cars. He said U.S. involvement in capping emissions could also encourage big developing nations, such as China or India, to look at ways to break the rise of their emissions.
Many environmentalists, and some governments, want a new pact on cutting greenhouse emissions agreed by 2008 to give businesses and investors time to adapt to new rules after the Kyoto Protocol's first period ends in 2012. Environment ministers from around the world will meet in Nairobi from Nov. 6-17 to search for ways to extend and widen the pact and to help developing nations adapt to the damaging impact of climate change.
