Russia Demands Inclusive Climate Treaty, Rejects Kyoto Replacement with Limited Emissions Cuts

Russia is seeking a comprehensive and binding agreement on climate change that involves all countries, rather than a treaty that only obliges developed nations to cut emissions of greenhouse gases. The statement comes as the 15th UN Climate Change Conference, a result of two-year international talks on a binding treaty to cut global carbon emissions, began in Copenhagen on Monday. Oleg Shamanov, the head of Russian Foreign Ministry's department of global environmental problems, warned of disagreements between negotiating parties, citing the refusal of developing countries to undertake binding obligations. Developing countries are demanding that developed states undertake additional emissions cuts after 2012, while refusing to reduce their own emissions.

Key Takeaways:

• Russia demands a "common, universal, international binding agreement" on climate change that includes all countries and climate-related issues.
• The 15th UN Climate Change Conference began in Copenhagen on Monday, the result of two-year international talks on a binding treaty to cut global carbon emissions.
• Oleg Shamanov, head of Russian Foreign Ministry's department of global environmental problems, noted that disagreements between developing and developed countries are "especially obvious".
• Developing countries are refusing to undertake binding obligations to cut emissions, while demanding more emissions reductions from developed countries after 2012.
• Russia rejects a Kyoto Protocol replacement that only obliges developed countries to cut emissions of greenhouse gases.
• During the recent India-Russia summit, the two countries agreed to work towards a "successful and comprehensive outcome" at the climate change conference in Copenhagen.

Statistics:

• The 15th UN Climate Change Conference began on Monday in Copenhagen, Denmark.
• Developing countries are refusing to undertake binding obligations to cut emissions, despite demanding more emissions reductions from developed countries after 2012.
• 2 years of international talks preceded the conference in Copenhagen.
• The recent India-Russia summit agreed to work toward a "successful and comprehensive outcome" at the Copenhagen conference.

Sources:

• United News of India
• HT Syndication with permission from United News of India