Environment ministers prepare for UN climate change summit

The Earth Times 11/15/2009 20:55

Copenhagen - Some 40 environment ministers gathered Monday in Copenhagen for preparatory talks ahead of the UN climate change conference that opens next month in the Danish capital. Ministers from key emitting countries including the United States, China and India as well as African countries and low-lying island nations threatened by global warming and rising sea levels were among those present.

"When all countries of the world send ministers at such a high level, it indicates a real will to work for a climate deal in Copenhagen," Danish Climate and Energy Minister Connie Hedegaard said.

Hedegaard said the two-day closed door session offered a chance to focus on the "tough issues."

As hopes for a legally-binding deal in Copenhagen have faded, the focus has centred on achieving a politically-binding treaty at the December 7-18 summit.

That view was repeated Sunday by Danish Prime Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen at a breakfast meeting with leaders of the Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) in Singapore.

Swedish Environment Minsiter Andreas Carlgren, whose country holds the rotating presidency of the 27-nation European Union, said the environment ministers should aim to "finalize what can been achievable in December."

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