Durban climate talks see US back EU proposal

[Turborama]

Source: The Guardian

US surprises delegates, boosting prospects of last-minute deal on carbon emissions – though China has yet to come on board

Fiona Harvey and John Vidal in Durban | Thursday 8 December 2011 16.41 GMT

The prospects of a last-minute deal on climate change have emerged at the UN talks in Durban, as the US threw its weight behind the European Union's proposal for a roadmap towards a new global agreement.

All eyes are now on China, the world's biggest emitter of carbon dioxide, which has yet to back the proposal, and according to some insiders has been giving conflicting signals.

Other big developing countries such as Brazil and South Africa have said they are willing to discuss the proposed programme, though India has rejected it.

With only a day and a half of negotiating time left to run, the words of support from the US on Thursday came as a surprise to the conference. Todd Stern, US special envoy for climate change, told a press conference: "The EU has called for a roadmap. We support that."

Read more: http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2011/dec/08/durban-climate-talks-us-backs-europe

[wysimdnwyg]

1. Yea, sure, we'll go along with developing a "road map"

Of course, we'll make damn sure that process takes approximately forever before the "road map" is complete and we commit to actually DOING anything.