COPENHAGEN 7-18 Dec 2009 Denmark hosts United Nations Climate Summit

Denmark, host of the United Nations Climate conference in Copenhagen -- COP 15 -- no longer expects the summit to result in a treaty to replace the 1997 Kyoto Protocol. Countries continue to squabble over targets and who will pay for what. They now are aiming for 2010 for a deal. Meanwhile, Denmark sees hosting the conference as an opportunity to show off its success at growing its economy -- 75 per cent in 25 years, according to the official COP 15 web -- while barely changing its energy consumption.

The Danish government credits environmental technology and sustainable energy sources for its low consumption feat.

The new treaty will replace the Kyoto provisions, which expire in 2012. The Kyoto Protocol was passed 10 years ago by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change with the goal of limiting greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere. While 175 nations and the European Economic Community have ratified it, the United States has not. The US Senate has not agreed carbon-capping legislation. 

Reuters reports the present worry is that the situation could result in a long-term stalemate, with negotiations dragging on like the Doha trade round. 

At preparatory UN climate talks in Bonn in Jun 2009, UN officials declaring progress on draft negotiating texts that reflect governments' proposals on how to step up climate change action. But environmentalists were disappointed in what they saw as slow progress, and some blamed the new Barak Obama administration in the United States for obstructing the negotiations. 

Among others, China and India have resisted binding targets, insisting they must first emerge from poverty. UPDATED Nov/09

RELATED READING:

UN, Denmark suggest 2010 deadlines for climate deal (16 Nov 2009)
http://www.reuters.com/article/latestCrisis/idUSLG401631

COP 15 web
http://www.cop15.dk/en/Frontpage.htm