Talks among the 17 top greenhouse gas emitting nations–also known as the Major Economies Forum (MEF)–continued yesterday in Paris, France.
France and Germany reportedly suggested that rich nations should collectively commit to greenhouse gas emissions cuts of 25% to 40% by 2020, while giving flexibility to the United States and others to catch up as soon as possible.
French Environment Minister Jean-Louis Borloo told a news conference that developed nations could collectively meet the goal set by climate scientists, if some nations act faster and others do more later.
"There can be more flexibility among us," he said.
Such an agreement could encourage developing nations to make commitments as well. So far, international negotiations for a follow-on global climate treaty to the Kyoto Protocol have been stalled as developing nations wait for rich nations to agree to deep cuts in emisions levels.
The United States, which was not part of the Kyoto Protocol has yet to reverse its trend of growing greenhouse gas emissions, but President Barack Obama has promised to cut emissions back to 1990 levels by 2020.
Borloo said "There may be constraints on such and such a developed nation–but we must reach this 2020 objective of 25 to 40 percent."
The MEF includes rich nations and developing nations like India and China. These meetings are separate from the U.N.-led negotiations, which hope to reach an accord by the end of 2009. Two more MEF meetings are planned before the next round of U.N. talks in an effort to help break through the negotiating gridlock.
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Read Reuters coverage at the link below.
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