"Ahead of critical talks and despite pledge for new treaty by 2012, biggest economies privately admit likelihood of long delay."
"Governments of the world's richest countries have given up on forging a new treaty on climate change to take effect this decade, with potentially disastrous consequences for the environment through global warming.
Ahead of critical talks starting next week, most of the world's leading economies now privately admit that no new global climate agreement will be reached before 2016 at the earliest, and that even if it were negotiated by then, they would stipulate it could not come into force until 2020.
The eight-year delay is the worst contemplated by world governments during 20 years of tortuous negotiations on greenhouse gas emissions, and comes despite intensifying warnings from scientists and economists about the rapidly increasing dangers of putting off prompt action.
After the Copenhagen climate talks in 2009 ended amid scenes of chaos, governments pledged to try to sign a new treaty in 2012. The date is critical, because next year marks the expiry of the current provisions of the Kyoto protocol, the only legally binding international agreement to limit emissions."
Fiona Harvey Reports for the Guardian November 20, 2011.
SEE ALSO:
"Officials From Various Countries Discuss Upcoming U.N. Climate Talks" (Washington Post)
"Extreme Weather To Worsen With Climate Change: IPCC" (Reuters)
"Emerging Economies Should Chip Into Climate Fund: U.S." (Reuters)
"Himalayan Nations Agree on Climate Adaptation Plan" (AP)
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