Copenhagen calls and Obama answers
Barack Obama to attend crucial Copenhagen summit
Also In The News
|
The Bank of England has revealed Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) and HBOS were given £61. |  |
Wednesday, 25, Nov 2009 05:45
By Richard James.
Barack Obama will attend the UN climate summit in Copenhagen next month, it has been confirmed.
The US president will attend the talks in the Danish capital on December 9th but will leave shortly after to pick up his Nobel Peace Prize in Oslo.
The crucial talks will attempt to agree on a framework for tackling climate change after 2012 when the current Kyoto protocol expires.
Gordon Brown previously urged fellow world leaders to follow his lead and personally attend the summit, in two weeks, as the chances of securing a new deal appeared to be wavering.
Announcing his own attendance writing in Newsweek magazine in September Mr Brown said: "The negotiations are proceeding so slowly that a deal is in grave danger.
"Securing an agreement in Copenhagen will require world leaders to bridge our remaining differences and seize these opportunities. But I believe it can be done. And if it is necessary to clinch the deal, I will personally go to Copenhagen to achieve it."
At present more than 60 world leaders have said they will be attending the summit.
While Mr Obama's presence is certain to raise expectations of a new emissions deal, experts have already warned it is now highly unlikely any form of new target will be agreed.
Disagreements currently exist between the developed and the developing world over what actions should be taken to counter the damaging affect of a rise in the world's temperatures.
Developing nations have called for greater commitments to carbon emissions cuts by the developed nations, who meanwhile are seeking assurances from nations such as China and India over how they will cut their emissions.