Compromise plan
Key points of the compromise agreement that was emerging at the UN climate conference in Bali. The language was still being worked on early today:
Emissions goals: The European Union dropped a key demand that guidelines for a new global climate pact include an explicit reference to cutting greenhouse gases by 2020 in wealthy countries. The accord instead was expected to include a reference to findings by the UN's Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, which recommended a 25 to 40 percent target.
Mandates put off: Indonesian Environment Minister Rachmat Witoelar proposed the revised language dropping explicit mention of emissions cutbacks. His draft "Bali Roadmap" would not require binding commitment.
US response: The United States, the world's top emitter of greenhouse gases and the only industrialized nation that was not a party to UN's Kyoto Protocol, was satisfied with the compromise, according to American negotiators.
Developing nations: The draft would instruct negotiators to consider incentives and other means to encourage less developed nations, including China and India, to voluntarily curb growth in their emissions.
Future negotiations: The substitute language would provide a basis for two years of negotiations to reach a mandate on cutting emissions by 2050.
SOURCE: News services 