The deadline is extended as the COP21 talks falter at the final fence
- Deadline extended to Saturday
- Rapid cuts in greenhouse gases planned
- China, Saudi Arabia refuse to yield
- “A very hard night” – source
ADVERTISEMENTEfforts to craft a global agreement to combat climate change are faltering at the final fence.
Delegates from China and other nations, are standing their ground over some of the demands being made at the COP 21 in Paris.
Greenhouse gas emissions and monitoring are a major sticking point.
Delegations are also divided on who should pay for developing nations to move to low-carbon economies.
What is the problem?
Is China already trying to water down a climate deal in Paris? https://t.co/Ou63Jv8FtU#COP21pic.twitter.com/7n8pga0yVB
— Financial Times (@FT) December 9, 2015
Some nations, including China, are refusing to give ground on their demands.
Beijing is resisting a call from the US and EU for all states to review and update their national plans for cutting greenhouse gas emissions every five years.
President Xi Jinping has already promised that carbon dioxide emissions from China’s rapidly-developing economy will start falling from around 2030. He does not want to revise this target.
#UPDATE China's Xi Jinping, Obama “discussed Paris climate summit in phone call” https://t.co/jngjWlTKuR#COP21pic.twitter.com/m2W2Hd8A5m
— Agence France-Presse (@AFP) December 11, 2015
China is also reiterating demands for developed nations to do more to curb greenhouse gas emissions.
Is China the only one to object?
No. Other countries are also standing their ground.
Saudi Arabia, for example, says it will resist calls for the rise in global temperatures to be limited to “well below” 2 degrees Celsius (3.6 Fahrenheit) above pre-industrial levels. The concern is this could jeopardise oil production.
Delegations are also divided on who should pay for developing nations to move to low-carbon economies.
The cost of managing the effects of climate change is also an issue. Scientists say this will raise sea levels and accelerate desertification along with triggering more intense and frequents floods, storms and droughts.
Is there a plan?
Yes.
France, which is hosting the COP21, has extended the UN-sponsored summit by a day to allow the talks to continue.
#COP21 :
LaurentFabius</a> discusses with <a href="https://twitter.com/UN">UN Secretary-General the negotiations for an ambitious climate agreement pic.twitter.com/2MR0WYtC2U— La France à l'ONU (@franceonu) December 10, 2015
French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius says the final text will now be presented to the nearly 200 nations present for review on Saturday.
“I am sure it will be approved. This will be a great step forward for all humanity.” he told reporters.
Today at #COP21 in Paris Ban Ki-moon met with the Primer Minister of Tuvalu & Ministers from Brazil, Canada & China. pic.twitter.com/s3qs7pU9Wg
— United Nations (@UN) December 10, 2015
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has met with the Chinese delegation at the talks.
“The issues have been identified during years of negotiations. Very good solutions have already been presented. This morning we have a much cleaner, streamlined text. This is a good basis for further negotiations.”
ADVERTISEMENTEfforts to combat CC stumbled 2day w China & other nations refusin 2 help. #COP21 will go 1 more day. https://t.co/CZASlkxyqL via
ReutersUK</a></p>— ivanwei (ivanwei) December 11, 2015
Chinese state television reports that Barack Obama and Xi Jinping have spoken over the telephone about the disagreement.