|
|
|
2 February 2010
| GLOBAL: 55 nations pledge emission goals |
Fifty-five countries, accounting for almost 80 percent of world greenhouse gas emissions, have pledged varying goals for fighting climate change under a deadline in the Copenhagen Accord.
"This represents an important invigoration of the UN climate change talks," Yvo de Boer, head of the UN Climate Change Secretariat, said of the national targets for curbs on emissions until 2020 submitted by January 31.
The countries, including top emitters led by China and the United States, mostly reiterated commitments unveiled before December's UN summit in Denmark, which disappointed many by failing to agree a tough, legally binding UN treaty.
De Boer said pledges covered 55 of 194 member nations and amounted to 78 percent of emissions from energy use. The UN says the deadline is flexible and others can submit plans later.
"Greater ambition is required to meet the scale of the challenge," he said. "But I see these pledges as clear signals of willingness to move negotiations towards a successful conclusion."
Mexico will host the next annual UN meeting from November 29 - December 10 as part of world efforts to avert more droughts, wildfires, floods, species extinctions and rising sea levels.
The Copenhagen Accord seeks to limit a rise in temperatures to below 2C above pre-industrial levels and sets a goal of $US100 billion a year in aid for developing nations from 2020 to help confront climate change.
Source: Reuters
| Other news by this theme: | |
|
| |
September 8 | | | How to participate
The GEF “Give Biodiversity Your Best Shot!” contest is open to everyone regardless of age and location. Note: Those affiliated with GEF, immediate family members of those... |
| |
August 12 | | | The 2010 Citizen Ambassadors video contest is organized by the Department of Public Information in partnership with YouTube, the United Nations Development Programme, the United Nations Foundation,... |
| |
August 12 | | | Philips is looking for individuals, community or non-governmental organizations and businesses who have ideas - ideas for ‘simple solutions’ that will improve people’s health and well-being in a... |
| |
August 11 | | | South African President Jacob Zuma and President Tarja Halonen of Finland
9 August 2010 – Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today unveiled a new panel on global sustainability that is tasked with... |
| |
August 6 | | | Old televisions and computers containing hazardous substances are still being exported from Europe despite a ban aimed at stopping the trade, which poisons workers at makeshift recycling plants in... |
| |
|
|
